Mahon is a port city on the island of Menorca, not far from Mallorca. Mahon is also known as Maó-Mahón or simply Maó, which in the local pronunciation is shortened to Mó. Originally, in 205 BC, it was settled by and named after Cathaginian general Magon Barca, brother of Hannibal.
There is a well known legend of a mermaid who rescued the son of a Carthaginian general when he shipwrecked on the shores of what was then a barely inhabited island. The mermaid and the general’s son fell in love and had a romance, but he later died in battle. Since then the mermaid has been waiting for him on a rock, convinced that he will return some day. map
Sculptor Leonardo Lucarini created this mermaid in bronze and named her Mô to identify her with the city and its long history. Many diverse cultures have left their mark and character on the island, all the way back through the Spaniards and the French, the Romans and the Greeks, the Turks and Visigoths to the Carthaginians and the Phoenician culture they brought with them.
She has been beautifully captured by great photographers as you can see below.
References:
● https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahón
● http: //www.menorca.info/suplementos/culturalia/2011/culturalia185/446692/arte/esculpir/amabilidad
● The Mermaids of Earth coffee-table book: See page 83 in the book about this sculpture.
