Mallorca's most important cultural and historical festivities
Getting to know a place is like getting to know a person. It requires time, interest, a curious eye and, of course, discovering the reason for one's passions.
A person, just like a city, a neighbourhood or a country, is characterised by what they love. In Mallorca, apart from our landscape, our gastronomy, our villages and towns, we love above all our festivals.
Mallorca has an infinite number of cultural and historical festivals that are not only fun for the locals, but also welcome visitors who show interest and respect for the culture.
From Mon Port Hotel & Spa, we summarise the most popular and awaited popular festivals:
Firó de Sóller
This is the most popular festival in Sóller, a village on the north-east coast of Mallorca. This festival commemorates the sacking of the village on 11 May 1561 by Turkish and Algerian corsairs and the brave resistance of the Sollerics (inhabitants of Sóller).
Although the Muslims thought they had the surprise factor on their side and could disembark and ravage the village without further ado, the Viceroy of Mallorca already knew of their intentions and had sent as many men as possible to Sóller to fight for his interests. After a tough battle, the Muslims, who remained unharmed, left the island without having achieved their goal.
Nowadays, every second Monday in May, the battle is commemorated in Sóller with a great festival organised by the inhabitants of the village, half representing the Muslims and the other half the Christians.
Vermar in Binissalem
Wine is the real star of this festival, which is celebrated for most of September in Binissalem, a village in the Es Raiguer district. The cycle of the vine is coming to an end and the time of harvest begins after the year of laborious and passionate work. Wine is always the reward and the best way to produce it is a festival that brings together people from all over the island and also from abroad. Grape fight, outdoor dinner, Fideus de Vermar and the traditional grape treading competition. Without a doubt, a wonderful month to visit Binissalem.
Sant Antoni and Sant Sebastià
Many places in Mallorca vibrate with this festival that is so deeply rooted in the island: Sa Pobla, Manacor, Artà, Pollença, Muro and even Palma are the places where Sant Antoni is most celebrated. Its origins go back to the island's agricultural roots, to the time when people entrusted themselves to Sant Antoni, the patron saint of all the animals that were essential for working in the fields. Every 16th and 17th of January, the demons, the foguerons (bonfires) and the Beneïdes come to the island. One of the most eagerly awaited moments is the departure of the demons, the original symbol of the festival, which marks the start of the Revetlla de Sant Antoni on the 16th. Traditional music, dances, foguerons where people gather around the fire, eat the local gastronomy and simply enjoy themselves.
Fira Dolça Esporles
On the first Sunday in October, the island's most typical sweets flood this small village in the Serra de Tramuntana. Crespells, buñuelos (a sort of fritters) or rubiols that will delight those with a sweet tooth.
To make sure it's not all about the food, you can also visit the small craft stalls and dance to the sound of the popular music that plays in all the streets.
Getting to know Mallorca also means getting to know its festivals and celebrations, are you ready for that?
