Menorca's traditional festivals are tied to village patron saints and share one element that makes them unique: the horse. From June to September every village has its festival, with a ritual dating back to the Middle Ages.
The jaleo and the horses
At the heart of the festivals are the caixers, riders representing the classes of medieval society, nobility, clergy, artisans and peasants, in traditional black-and-white dress and mounted on black Menorcan horses. The climax is the jaleo: to the sound of the flabiol flute and drum, the riders enter the packed square and make their horses rear up, while the crowd tries to touch the horse's chest for luck and throws hazelnuts. People drink pomada, Menorca gin with lemonade (see gin).
The calendar
- Sant Antoni (17 January): Menorca's day, commemorating the Catalan conquest of 1287 by Alfonso III, with the Tres Tocs procession in Ciutadella and village celebrations.
- Holy Week, with processions in both towns.
- Sant Joan (23-24 June) in Ciutadella: the most famous and spectacular festival, with thousands of people. It begins the previous Sunday with the Diumenge des Be, when a man dressed in sheepskins carries a lamb on his shoulders through the streets.
- Sant Martí in Es Mercadal and Sant Pere in Es Castell (June-July).
- Sant Jaume in Es Castell, Sant Cristòfol in Es Migjorn, Sant Llorenç in Alaior (August).
- Sant Bartomeu in Ferreries (August).
- Mare de Déu de Gràcia in Mahón (early September), the capital's big festival, closing the season.
Music and events
The island has a rich musical tradition: concerts on the great organ of Santa Maria in Mahón, the summer music festival, the opera season at Mahón's Teatre Principal, Spain's oldest opera house, opened in 1829, and jazz festivals. Summer also brings evening craft markets and food fairs (see crafts).
Tips
To watch the jaleo arrive early in the square, but take care among the crowd and horses, especially with children. During Sant Joan, Ciutadella's hotels are booked months ahead. See also Spanish festivals.