Es Firó & Sa Fira, Sóller

Sóller & Port de Sóller

Every May the Vall de Sóller stages one of Mallorca's most stirring fiestas: the Moros i Cristians re-enactment that commemorates the town's defence against Ottoman and North-African corsairs on 11 May 1561. The action is split between Sóller and Port de Sóller and falls on the second weekend of May, with Sa Fira on the Sunday and Es Firó on the Monday. Programme: On the Sunday, Sa Fira pedestrianises the streets and fills them with market stalls, corralled farm animals, artisan produce, food, wine, live music and dancing, with many locals turning out in traditional Mallorcan dress. The Monday belongs to Es Firó: around 15:30 the church bells ring to announce the enemy ships, Captain Angelats rallies the sollerics, and the historic tram (free that day) carries the crowd down to Port de Sóller for the landings at Platja de Can Generós and Platja d'en Repic. The battle then works its way street by street back up to the square, where blackened-faced 'moros' with muskets face 'cristians' in Mallorcan costume, ending in Sóller's victory. Around 22:00, Captain Angelats proclaims the win from the Town Hall balcony and the whole town kneels to sing 'La Balanguera', the anthem of Mallorca. Good to know: It lands on the second weekend of May — Sa Fira on the Sunday, Es Firó on the Monday — with the battle starting near 15:30. Roads into Sóller and Port de Sóller are closed or restricted and parking is extremely limited, so take public transport; the tram between town and port is free on Es Firó day. It is a free, open-air street event, so most activities cost nothing to attend. Expect loud musket fire, fireworks and thick gunpowder smoke in the crowds, so wear old clothes you don't mind getting sooty.

WHAT HAPPENS

The shape of it

Moors-and-Christians battle

A town-wide mock battle re-enacts Sóller's 1561 defence against Ottoman and North-African corsairs, sweeping across both Sóller and Port de Sóller and ending in the townsfolk's victory.

Sa Fira craft & livestock fair

On the Sunday the streets are pedestrianised and fill with market stalls, corralled farm animals, artisan products, food, wine and live music, with many locals turning out in traditional Mallorcan dress.

Costumed moros vs cristians

Locals of all ages dress as North-African 'moros' with blackened faces, muskets and swords, facing 'cristians' in traditional Mallorcan costume armed with stone catapults and straw hats.

Beach landings by tram

The historic Sóller tram (free on the day) carries the crowd down to Port de Sóller, where the corsairs stage their landings at Platja de Can Generós and Platja d'en Repic.

Cant de la Balanguera finale

The night closes around 22:00 in the main square: Captain Angelats proclaims victory from the Town Hall balcony and the people of Sóller kneel to sing 'La Balanguera', the anthem of Mallorca.

FROM THE FLOOR

What you're walking into

SCHEDULE

When to go

Year-round

GOOD TO KNOW

Before you go

It falls on the second weekend of May — Sa Fira on the Sunday and Es Firó on the Monday — with the battle kicking off around 15:30 as church bells signal the enemy ships.

Roads into Sóller and Port de Sóller are restricted or closed and parking is extremely limited, so public transport is strongly recommended; the tram between town and port is free on Es Firó day.

It is a free, open-air street fiesta — most activities across both towns cost nothing to attend.

Expect loud musket fire, fireworks and thick gunpowder smoke in the crowds, so wear old clothes you don't mind getting sooty.

GETTING THERE

Where it is

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Sóller & Port de Sóller