What happens,when and where - Guide for Tourists
Good to know
- "Cargols" = when Horse riders circle specific points along the route
- "Jaleos" = where riders bring their horse onto their rear legs - 'Touch the heart'
- Jocs des Pla des matí = Games of rider horsemanship on Pla Sant Joan
- 'Día des Be' = Day of the Lamb a ritualed ceremony at being of Fiesta
"Jaleos" - As they horses rear people will try to touch the horses heart = Good Luck
In all my years I've never seen an injury despite the 'chaos'- folks look out for others!
Día des Be – Sunday before 22nd June
1st official day of the fiesta, The parade of St John the Baptist dressed in sheepskin carrying a a very washed sheep on his shoulders. Accompanied by the official committee of horse riders and the sound of a drum and flute, as they visit houses around the historic centre of Ciutadella. Bit of luck to get timing right for a view .
Nit des Festers – 22nd June
Bonfires lit around the centre of the town after dark. Different musical groups circulate between the bonfires.
Dissabte de Sant Joan – 23rd June
First day with horses and intense, very hot and very crowded. Horses repeat after 9.30pm - perhaps the better time to visit?
Primer Toc & Replec – from 2.00pm – 6.00pm
2.00pm sharp in one of the palaces in the centre of town with the ‘Primer Toc’, the first strike of the drum and flute. The ‘Fabioler’, the rider who leads the cavalcade of over 100 horses, requests permission to start the ‘Replec’ which is the calling of the other horse riders to the cavalcade.
Caragol des Born – 6.00pm
At 6.00pm sharp, ‘El Caixer Senyor’, head of the cavalcade, gallops through the crowd at full speed to the centre of the main plaza and the band strikes up the festival tune called the ‘Jaleo’. The cavalcade loops the packed plaza de Born three times, occasionally horses rising on their hind legs. Be early ! Access to the Plaza is controlled by Police and has limited capacity.
Sant Joan de Missa & Ses Avellanas – from 7.30pm (approx)
The Riders leave Ciutadella returning around 9.30pm. carnival rides in the centre square, or ‘tossing of the hazelnuts’ (an old tradition) on the ‘Contramurada’ street on the perimeter of the historical centre.
Corregudes de Sa Plaça i Ses Voltes – 10.00pm (approx)
The cavalcade heads to the old town ‘Ses Voltes’, The whole cavalcade laps this strip three times to the Cathedral Square
Caragol de Santa Clara – 11.00pm (approx)
The cavalcade moves to the streets surrounding the church of Santa Clara and loops the route 3 times. This takes time, as many of the houses open their doors for the horses to enter the houses! It’s surprising and delightful to see, yet you have to be wary of what’s in front of you AND behind you at all times. Lots of people, lots of horses.
It goes well into the night and those with enough energy to keep dancing usually finish up in the nightclubs in the Port.
Día De Sant Joan – 24th June
Basically a repeat of the previous day ie morning and the night.
Primer Toc & Replec – from 8.00am
Same as the previous day, mid-morning the cavalcade heads down to the Port to practise for the mediaeval games which are held in the evening. I recommend meeting them in the Port to watch the action.
Jocs des Pla des matí – Mid-morning
Horsemanship games at Plat Sant Join There are three types of games. 'Jousting' actually riders spearing a ring at high speed on horseback. The second is the breaking of wooden shields on galloping horseback, and the third translates to ‘galloping hugs’. Tip if fearfull : view from a distance above - on carrer X
Corregudes de Sa Plaça i Ses Voltes – until 1.00pm (approx)
After the games the cavalcade heads back up to Ses Voltes and then Santa Clara for another lap around and in and out of the houses, same as the previous day. Very close quaters in narrow streets. All the riders gather along ring road by the windmill = very good spot.
Convidada a la l’Ajuntament & Jocs des Pla – from 7.00 – 11.00pm
At 7.00pm, the cavalcade arrives at the town hall to request permission to officially start the games in the Port. Then the cavalcade heads down to the port where the games commence. Finishing with the final vigorous ‘Jaleo’ by the horses and band. Warning, it’s very crowded. Go for the atmosphere which is fantastic, but the views are limited and it’s a long time to stand. The best view is on television on IB3.
Caragol de Ses Voltes & Caragol de Santa Clara – from 11.00pm
Same as the previous day, three laps of each, finishing well after midnight. The best chance to see the horses up close and calm during the night.
Sant Joan – 25th June – Fireworks 11.00pm
Evening of live music/ dance. Fireworks display over the sea. The best views are on the coastline on either side of the Port just north of Ciutadella on the road beyond the lighthouse ‘Sa Farola’ and on the south side around the small castle ‘Castell de Sant Nicolau’. Music events usually continue long into the early hours!
