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The festivities of Sa Fira i Es Firó in Sóller. Its meaning and how to live the festival.

If you are staying at the Alcázar Hotel between the first and second week of May, you are in luck because you can live and know one of the biggest, if not the biggest, festivals in the Valley of Sóller: The Festival of Sa Fira i Es Firó. A celebration full of feeling and symbolism for the inhabitants of our municipality and that identifies its culture and history and commemorates one of the most important historical events of this town of the Tramuntana. From several weeks before the day of the Firó, second Monday of May, different events and activities begin to take place, however, we will focus on the 4 most intense days of these fantastic festivities full of history, tradition and culture: Friday, Saturday, Sunday of "Sa Fira" and Monday of "Es Firó".

SA FIRA SATURDAY

The Saturday of Sa Fira is a perfect day to enjoy the center of Sóller 100%. The events begin around 11.00h in the morning, with music in the Plaça Constitució, as well as the local "mercadillo" and plenty of "paradetes" with local products, artisans and much more! Late in the afternoon, around 17.00h, one of the most beautiful moments of the festivities takes place: The Solemn Procession or Ofrena de Flors, as the local people call it. A procession in which the townspeople dress in traditional costumes and bring an offering of flowers and citrus fruits to the Mare de Déu. The route runs through the streets of the center to the Parròquia de St. Bartomeu, so we advise you to take a good place to enjoy this special moment. After the procession, the flags of the peasants are raised and there are popular and traditional dances. Late at night, from 00.00h, there are again concerts with local groups in the Plaça de l'Alamenda. So you can once again enjoy an evening of concerts in a very special place in the center of Sóller.

SUNDAY: SA FIRA

On the Sunday of Sa Fira we can enjoy many exhibitions and products located in the center of Sóller as well as in the streets of Cetre and Gran Via. Activities such as an exhibition of racing cars, a horse show with demonstrations of putting horseshoes on horses, sheep shearing demonstration, exhibition of different breeds of horses, exhibition of field tools, handicrafts and much more! So we advise you to walk around and enjoy Sa Fira and the center of the village during this morning. In the evening, you can enjoy other concerts or shows in the Plaça Constitució, although we advise you to go to the market square, located right next to the Alcázar Hotel, to discover another traditional celebration: the Revetlla d'armes. An event in which the peasants burn rum and sing and dance with the local groups Aires Sollerics and Xeremiers de Sóller.

 

MONDAY: ES FIRÓ DAY

Es Firó is a historical festival that commemorates and recreates the victory of the town of Sóller against the attempted conquest by Turkish pirates in 1561. A unique festival that will leave you speechless if you have not experienced it. While it is true that it is a party that can be enjoyed with the family, we do not recommend you to live it with very young children because there are pyrotechnics, smoke and gunpowder cannons and other weapons that can be uncomfortable and inappropriate for children. Also, in order to participate in the festival as public, you must buy a wristbands that are sold every Saturday just in front of the town hall, otherwise you will NOT be able to access the Plaça Constitució during the festival.

The Firó starts at 15.00h, when the bells ring: enemy ships have been sighted! The farmers gather in the Plaça dels Estiradors to go to the Battle. Visiting this square is something very special and not very touristy, however, if we go to see it, we may not be able to see the harangue of Captain Angelats in the Plaça Constitució at 15.30h. So we advise you to pass by Plaça dels Estiradors and go quickly to Plaça Constitució. Right after the harangue, we advise you to take the streetcar (free this day) and go to the Port until the last stop. Once there you can enjoy the disembarkation and the battles of Ca'n Generós Beach and Playa d'en Repic, a route that we advise you to do on foot and without fear. We must say that the local people, especially those dressed as corsairs, have a tradition of painting the farmers, farm workers and tourists, so we advise you to wear old clothes to enjoy the most, as it is very likely to be painted.

After the battles of the Port, we advise you to go up again with the Tram to the Plaça Constitució and get a good place to see the final battle. While it is true that there is a battle in Es Pont d'en Barona, near the square, it is better to take a good place and enjoy the end of the festival, see the entry of the corsairs and looting, the entry of the peasants and the most beautiful moment of the festival: The cant de la Balanguera, about 21.30h. A magical moment in which the local people, on their knees, sing this hymn and give thanks to the Mare de Déu for the victory. Moment when the Firó ends.

To live the Fiestas de Sa Fira i Es Firó is to live some unique and unforgettable days in the heart of the Sierra de Tramuntana, some festive days full of tradition, atmosphere, culture and history. And a unique opportunity to get to know one of the most special traditional festivals of the north coast of Mallorca.

If you are staying at our hotel and want to know more information about the Fiestas de Sa Fira i Es Firó, do not hesitate to ask our reception team, who will be happy to help you!