| During the summer months, Menorca plays host to a | | | | highly skilled in dressage and parade on their hind legs |
| long held tradition of fiestas, or 'Festes'. Throughout | | | | throughout the procession, with everyone jostling to |
| the season there is a procession of well-known and | | | | touch their hearts for luck as they rear up. |
| smaller fiestas, and it is a wonderful way of getting | | | | On the second day of the fiesta there are bouts of |
| to know the traditions of the island. The enthusiasm | | | | jousting and other games, and the evening culminates |
| of the locals is infectious and it is easy to get caught | | | | in the jousting finale and a huge fireworks display. |
| up in the excitement. So if you want to let down | | | | There is much dancing, eating and drinking - the |
| your hair and celebrate the summer Spanish-style, | | | | fiesta is a wonderful time for people of all ages. |
| coincide your Menorca villa holidays with some fiesta | | | | Visitors are welcome and many people book their |
| fun! | | | | Menorca villa holidays in June especially to attend this |
| Sant Joan Festival - Cuitadella (Festival of St John the | | | | joyous fiesta. |
| Baptist) | | | | Festes de la Vierge de Gracia - Mahon (Festival of |
| Menorca's festival season officially begins on the 23rd | | | | Our Lady of Grace) |
| of June each year with the most famous - the | | | | Every town in Menorca holds a fiesta celebrating their |
| festival of Sant Joan. Dating back to the 14th | | | | own patron saint, and if you're planning a Menorca |
| century, the fiesta is in honour of John the Baptist, | | | | villa holiday in September, you'll be able to experience |
| but is as much to show off the magnificent dressage | | | | the final fiesta of the season- the Fiesta of Our Lady |
| skills of the Menorcan horsemen as anything else. | | | | of Grace in Mahon. |
| At precisely 2pm on the 23rd the fiesta begins at the | | | | Held from the 6th to the 9th of September the |
| Palace of the Nobleman - Caixer Senyo. The opening | | | | celebration involves skilful equestrian performances, |
| ceremony includes a spectacular procession and if | | | | dancing, fire works and of course lots of food and |
| you're very lucky it may pass right by your Menorca | | | | drink. It marks the end of the fiesta season and is a |
| villa. Each rider represents a sector of island society; | | | | particularly lively affair. As is usual in Menorcan fiestas, |
| the church, the nobility, the craftsmen or the | | | | the festivities are centred on the horses. Over the |
| farmers. Joining the procession are many locals on | | | | four days you can attend dressage displays; the |
| foot dressed in lambskins to represent John the | | | | rompre ses carotes - jousting; the ensortilla - which |
| Baptist. The participants in the parade are from all | | | | tests balance; and the most skilful and dangerous |
| over the island and aged anything from 7 to 70. The | | | | sport where two riders link arms with each other |
| Menorcan horses which are the real stars of the | | | | whilst on separate horses and gallop at breakneck |
| show are beautiful creatures with shiny jet black | | | | speed down the street side by side. It is an |
| coats and powerful, muscle-bound bodies. They are | | | | exhilarating and nail-biting display! |