Menorca Tourism Guide - Menorca Festivals / Fiestas

Menorca Festivals. What's Special?

The most traditional of the fiestas is that of Sant Joan. It dates back to the beginning of the 14th century and is religious in origin. The vestry-board of the saint heads in pilgrimage on horseback, to a small rural chapel in order to honour their patron. The "caixers" are riders who represent the social strata: the church, nobility, craftsmen (master and apprentice) and country people (farmers, one from the north and one from the south of the city limits). The "cavallers" (riders) who make up the majority of the "qualcada" (cavalcade), are all country people of different ages, from 7 or 8 to more than 70!

Many long-standing traditions are part of this festival, which has a long history on the island. The fiesta begins on the Sunday prior to the 24th June, which is known as the "Día des Be". The opening parade through Ciutadella is quite a spectacle. All are represented, including countryman, dressed in lambskin, similar to Saint John the Baptist, who stroll barefoot through Ciutadella accompanied by the caixers riders. On the 23rd June at precisely 2 p.m., the fiesta starts at the palace of the Caixer Senyor or the nobleman. It's all very regal! This nobleman takes charge of the fiesta for a two-year period. The fiesta starts with music and the primer toc, which is the first playing of a small flute made out of cane called a flabiol.

Plenty of Pomeda on hand during the festivals, which is the classic Mahon gin mixed with lemonade or lemon juice.

The Menorcan Horse

The Menorcan breed of horse plays a huge part in festivals on the island, and has been carefully bred, resulting in it's particular elegant shape and it's distinct black colour. It's a popular and respected breed internationally. This Menorcan horse has been officially recognized as an indigenous breed since 1989, and it's character is distinct - black in colour and slender, with large round eyes and it's muscular and powerful appearance.

Apparently recent research on this breed has thrown up the fact that it may be of Berber origin and it is one of the few totally black horses preserved in Europe. This horse has never seen the likes of fieldwork, that was traditionally done by donkeys, and things like this are thought to be an influence on it's shape and particular elegant look. There's a pride and hautiness there as well. Don't miss seeing some of these horses when your in Menorca! Even better if you see them within the festival festivities.