Es Firó & Sa Fira, 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.
