The Midsummer Fiestas of Sant Joan de Ciutadella
At the summer solstice, the Menorcan city Ciutadella celebrates the Fiestas of Sant Joan in a unique tradition that has evolved over 500 years .. This stately city of palaces which was the capital of the island in the medieval era is transformed when skilful riders and beautiful horses, festooned for the occasion, take to the streets to become the stars of a celebration.
The main festivities centre on the days of 23 and 24 June, although the celebrations get underway on the previous Sunday, the Dia des Be.
The practice of carrying a sheep on the shoulders before the Festival of Sant Joan is one of Spain’s oldest, most unique traditions, exclusive to the town of Ciutadella
Known as Diumenge des Be (Sunday of the Lamb), this event takes place on the Sunday directly before June 23rd and acts as the official opening herald for the entire festival.
The Character (S’Homo des Be): A local peasant is chosen to portray Saint John the Baptist. He walks completely barefoot through the cobblestone streets for the entire day. He is dressed strictly in painted sheep pelts, with red crosses painted onto his bare arms and feet.
The Lamb: A pristine, one-year-old ram is chosen from local farms to represent the living symbol of the saint. The animal is meticulously pampered, washed, brushed, and kept awake the entire night prior so that it is calm. It is adorned with colored silk ribbons and small mirrors before being draped across the man’s shoulders.
The Procession: Beginning at 9:00 AM sharp to the sound of a traditional cane flute (fabiol) and drum, the barefoot man carries the live lamb on his shoulders all day long. Accompanied by a committee of local riders (caixers), he visits over 100 homes of town dignitaries, local nobility, and horsemen to formally invite them to the upcoming festival.
Residents pack the narrow stone streets to catch a glimpse of the group, and touching the clean white wool of the lamb as it passes by is widely considered to bring excellent good luck for the remainder of the summer.
The streets of Cuitadella are decorated with fans banners celebrating the festival and shops across the town sell souvenirs
The following festivities are spread over another two days and governed by a strict protocol, where the main social classes of Ciutadella’s bygone era are represented: the Church (caixer capellà), the aristocracy (caixer senyor), the craftsmen (caixer casat i caixer fadrí) and the farmers (caixers pagesos).
The most eagerly awaited spectacle of Ciutadella’s annual fiestas is the Caragol del Born, when more than one hundred elegantly bedecked riders make their entry into the majestic Plaça des Born. Passing among the expectant crowd, the horses rear up on their hind legs as a symbol of power and nobility.
The first caragol takes place on 23 June, when the riders parade on horseback around the Plaça del Born, followed by the procession of caixers to the Hermitage of Sant Joan de Missa, and the traditional ‘war of hazelnuts’. The Day of Sant Joan (St. John) marks the culmination of the festivities.
One of the highlights of this day are the Jocs des Pla, medieval equestrian events that take place at dusk, where riders display their prowess in tests of their skills such as spearing rings with a lance or galloping along in parallel, trying to destroy a shield decorated with a mask (ses carotes).
And when this is finished, the crowd rushes in to grab pieces of the trophy, so be prepared if you want to join in.The fiestas offer a perfect excuse and spectacular backdrop for discovering Ciutadella, the ancient capital of Menorca, with its charming old town, grand palaces, On 24 June, the fiestas come to a close with a firework display
Destination: Spanish Islands
