Photos

Towards the end of Alfonso XIII’s reign, Spain ordered eighteen 15” Mark II Cannons from the English company Vickers. Six of these pieces were destined for Minorca; two were installed in La Mola during Spain’s Second Republic, they finished mounting the second piece in this battery during the first year of the Civil War (1936).

Designed as naval cannons, these large bore pieces were installed on the coastal cliffs, as there were no ships adequate for such large guns.

On this cliff top, more than 70 metres above sea level, the cannon’s turret with the 17.6 metre barrel weighing 88 tons, could gyrate 270º.

The three Vickers batteries located around the Minorcan coast covered almost three quarters of the coastline between them.

These cannons were so powerful that they were able to reach their objective at a distance of 35km, although in reality they were never fired in anger, only for instruction. They were able to perforate battle cruisers with 36cm of armour-plate at a distance of 23 km.