Secret Place: The Cave of Es Castell in Menorca

Here are a few lines in the format of an interview with the 2 protagonists of this new adventure: Clotilde AUPHAN & David JAMES , co-founder of the incoming agency Menorca Island Dmc , tell you about their secret place... Atípico in Menorca.

Can you tell us the story of this cave?

This secret place, "The Cave," located in the fishing port of Es Castell, in Cales Fonts, Menorca, is the highest and largest in the region. Its history dates back centuries, to 1535, during the time of the fearsome pirate Barbarossa, closely linked to the history of Menorca. According to legend, he secretly met there a Menorcan woman whom he passionately loved—unlike so many others, he never dared to enslave her. Thus, the cave became a sanctuary of love, imbued with a special energy, the echoes of which still seem to resonate within its hand-carved walls.

Over the centuries, the cave has witnessed many stories and transformations. In the 19th century, master shipwrights used it as a workshop to build ships destined to cross the Atlantic. However, with the arrival of steel as the main material in shipbuilding, this activity gradually disappeared.

During the Spanish Civil War, the cave became a refuge for fishing families, who crowded into it to protect themselves from aerial bombardments. Later, in the 1950s, the cave was divided into two parts, changing its function once again.

In 1970, fisherman Jaume Reynés, descended from a long line of sailors, acquired the cave to use as a fishing warehouse. Jaume was known for his catches, which were always more abundant than those of others, and many believed the cave brought him luck and prosperity.

In the 1980s, a young boy named Pedro often came to visit Jaume, crossing the cove on his bicycle. He listened attentively to his stories: Jaume confided that the war had prevented him from studying, but that in this cave, he had found love and fortune.

Years later, Pedro bought the cave from Jaume's widow, Nini, and decided to reuse the objects found inside to decorate his business. It would not be an ordinary shop, but a unique place, where the furniture would be composed of objects steeped in history: old oars, the cabin of a fishing boat, beams from old galleons brought up from the depths of the sea.

But the cave's story doesn't end there. In 2019, French entrepreneurs Clotilde and David discovered Cales Fonts on our last day of vacation in Menorca. Captivated by the magic of the place, we promised each other eternal love and vowed to return one day to start a new life on the island.

That day finally arrives, with the creation of a new travel and event agency business, we settle permanently in Menorca in 2020. Five years later, in 2025, we discover the cave, its soul, and decide to invest in it. Our dream is to make it a place where other visitors can live private, magical and atypical experiences, thus adding a new chapter to the fascinating history of this place full of mystery, love and legends.

And so, the Cave of Love and Secrets remains alive, waiting for those who dare to discover it and become part of it... The concept Atípico was born.

We say together:

We even got married there on July 18, 2025...

What is this ATIPICO concept?

For us, it's all about connections and alignment. For over 5 years, we've been developing our incoming agency business - Menorca Island Dmc - in Menorca , creating and organizing exclusive trips for private clients and incentive trips for companies. We create tailor-made concepts, with an impactful common thread, imaginative services, and very often in locations where the atmosphere makes the difference.

Both of us, for more than 15 years, have wanted to suggest our own place, a place where imagination reigns, where almost everything is possible.

We found it.

The Atípico concept can be considered a real gift , in a secret place in Menorca , because it is characterized by the private provision of the place for the organization of a special moment for 2 or in a small group:

• A prestigious candlelit dinner ,

• A tasting of local products with a demonstration by a culinary chef ,

• A musical suggestion in acoustics,

• A scripted cocktail between land and sea,

• A disconnecting meeting space ,

• An aperitif of pure authenticity mixing Minorcan and international know-how,

• A 0 km breakfast or a sweet break facing the sea,

• A temporary exhibition of local and international artists around Upcycling,

• ...

David expresses:

We therefore decided to make it a truly different place, between immersion, disconnection, taking a step back and conviviality, all in an exclusively private manner.

But how did you find this cave so unusual?

For more than 2 years, we have lived in Es Castell , a small fishing port that has remained authentic.

For two years we have been walking past it and for two years we have been looking at it.

One Saturday morning, while jogging, it appeared as if it were obvious, a sign informing us that it was available.

Everything went very quickly, we met the owner, discussed the project, all three of us were excited and finalized our agreement in less than 15 days.

A beautiful reality, an obvious alignment and the adventure took off.

How do you see the future?

Very good.

We are immersed in the heart of the cave daily, and have even set up our agency there. It's a real stroke of luck.

Both are unanimous:

The initial feedback from our customers is inspiring because it describes the cave as a place with a unique, magical, unforgettable, and even mystical atmosphere. We love these superlatives that reveal a special soul, one we want to share.

Through our Dmc activity, we suggest Atípico for privileged, confidential moments to our clients during trips and seminars .

We also have a whole selective network of local partners including Hoteliers - Finca Owners - Agrotourism & Farmhouse - Catering - Journalists and others , who are real ambassadors of the concept, by offering the cave, its offbeat atmosphere and its experiences, to their privileged clients.

Clotilde confirms:

We see this place as a must-see on the island that imagines innovative experiences and in all humility, we cannot know what will happen there.

Finally, Clotilde and David tell us:

We are proud to be able to offer this simply unique and historic place to our traveling clients and to all Minorcans, who are also in search of meaning.

THANKS.

Contact Experiences and Privatization:

David James - david@menorca-island.fr - Instagram