Page 32 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

30  INTRODUCING THE BALEARIC ISLANDS THE BALEARIC ISLANDS THROUGH THE Y EAR  31

THE BALEARIC ISLANDS
THROUGH THE YEAR Average daily hours of sunshine Hours of Sunshine
Hours
During July and August,
12
of sunshine daily. Not
10 there are nearly 11 hours
The inhabitants of the Balearic Islands are of these is the Festa de Sant Joan, which 8 surprisingly, these months
deeply attached to their traditions, a fact has been celebrated in Ciutadella, Menorca, coincide with the peak
that is reflected in the many religious feast since medieval times. In the resorts, fiestas 6 of the tourist season.
Fewer sunny days occur
days, or fiestas, they celebrate. Fiestas are are less conspicuous, but elsewhere every­ 4 in November, December
generally associated with the cult of saints, body joins in the fun. During the fiesta, 2 and January. At this time
particularly the patron of the local parish normal life stops and only minimal bus 0 of the year the islands are
or the island. Though mostly religious, services run. It is also difficult to find hotel Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec at their least attractive.
fiestas are an opportunity for people to accommodation, so book in advance.
enjoy themselves, with parades, music Tourist information offices can provide
and much dancing. The most spectacular details of local fiestas. Summer
June marks the beginning of
the peak tourist season in the
sombre ceremony of laying May Balearic Islands, which will last
in the tomb (Davallament) is Festa de Maig (1st Sun in May), until September. It is ushered
held at the church of Nostra Santa Eulàlia, Ibiza. This spring­ in by numerous cultural events,
Senyora del Àngels, in Pollença. time flower festival is one of the including concerts, festivals and
In Monastir de Lluc the faithful most colourful and beautiful folk group performances. The
conduct a penitential Way fiestas in the Balearic Islands. latter half of summer features
of the Cross. Festa de Nostra Senyora de various fiestas associated with
la Victòria (2nd Sun in May), gathering the harvest.
April Sóller and Port de Sóller,
Festa Sant Francesc (2 Apr). Mallorca. Mock battles pit
The popular feast of St Francis Christian against Moor, and
is celebrated throughout the are staged to mark the raid by
islands, in parishes of which Turkish pirates, on 11 May 1561. Holidaymakers on a Cala Millor beach, Mallorca
the saint is the patron. Eivissa Medieval (2nd Sun in
Princess Sofia Trophy May), Eivissa, Ibiza. A festival to (clay whistles). Similar fairs are Assumption of the Virgin
(One week, dates vary), Palma. celebrate the declaration of Dalt also held in Campos, Sineu, (15 Aug). A festival celebrated
One of the most important Vila as a World Heritage Site in Felanitx and Manacor. throughout Spain.
yachting regattas in 1999, with dancing and concerts. Sant Bartomeu (24 Aug).
Almond blossom in early spring the Balearics. Festa de Primavera de July Horse races in Capdepera;
in Mallorca Festa Sant Jordi (23 Apr). Manacor (27 May), Manacor. Día de Virgen de Carmen (15– devil dances in Montuïri.
Feast day of the patron This spring festival is the most 16 Jul). The feast of the patron Sant Agustín (28 Aug).
saint of many towns and villages, important festival in Manacor. saint of sailors and fishermen Felanitx, Mallorca. A joyful
Spring
celebrated on all the islands. It lasts until early June. is celebrated with parades and fiesta in honour of St
With the advent of spring, a blessing of the fishing boats. Augustine, with festivities
life in Spain moves out into Festa de Nostra Senyora de la Victòria Passejada díes Bou i Carro such as dancing and horse­
the streets, and the café terraces in Sóller Triunfal (27–28 Jul), Valldemossa, riding shows.
fill with guests. This is a very Mallorca. The feast of Catalina
beautiful time of year. Before June Thomàs. A bull is led through
the arrival of the summer heat, Corpus Christi, Pollença, the streets of this small town,
trees, flowers and wild herbs Mallorca. The Dance of Eagles, followed the next day by a pro­
burst into flower. The famous performed in the main square cession of carts, with one girl
Semana Santa (Holy Week) of the town, is followed by playing the role of St Catalina.
before Easter is a time of a procession.
religious processions. Sant Antoni de Juny (13 Jun), August
Artà, Mallorca. A local feast Copa del Rey (1st wk in Aug),
March featuring parades of people Palma, Mallorca. International
Semana Santa On Maundy dressed as horses. yachting regattas held under the
Thursday in Palma, a procession Sant Joan (24 Jun), Ciutadella, patronage of King Juan Carlos.
leaves the church of La Sang Menorca. The climax of this Sant Ciriac (8 Aug), Ibiza,
at Plaça de Hospital, carrying popular festival is when the Formentera. A feast held to
a crucifix. On Good Friday, horses, ridden by islanders in commemorate the Spanish
solemn processions are held fancy dress, rear up. recapture of these islands.
in many towns, including Romeria de Sant Marçal Festa de Sant Lorenç
Palma and Sineu in Mallorca (30 Jun), Sa Cabeneta, Mallorca. (2nd wk in Aug), Alaior, Menorca. Busy fruit stalls at Pollença market
and Maó on Menorca. The Princess Sofia Trophy yachting regatta A fair where they sell siurells Riding displays in the streets. in Mallorca

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Seasonal template “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1.6)
Date 7th January 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm