Moors and Christians: relive Mallorca's most popular battle!

At three o'clock in the afternoon the ringing of bells alert the town of Soller, enemy ships can be seen on the horizon.

It is the Monday after the second Sunday in May and Es Firó begins, the festival that commemorates the brave resistance of the Sollerics against the attack by Saracen pirates in 1561.

This event, staged year after year by all the citizens of Soller, will take you back to a crucial moment in the history of this beautiful place located in a valley of the Serra de Tramuntana, a World Heritage Site. Es Firó begins!

The farmers, dressed in their traditional costume, gather in the Plaça dels Estiradors, in the centre of Soller, to go into battle. It is then that Captain Angelats commends himself to the Mare de Déu de la Victòria and encourages the farmers of Soller with the cry of "A la lluita sollerics!

Take the tram to the port to go to the scene of the first battle, Can Generós beach, where the Saracen troops with their faces painted black and swords in hand try to disembark. The Solleric farmers armed with shotguns hold off the first attack in an intense battle closely followed by onlookers who watch in amazement at the fervour of the participants.

The second attack takes place in Playa d'en Repic, always under the watchful eye of the spectators who, to the sound of the music that you will find in all the streets and squares, cheer on their favourite side. The Saracens commanded by the Moorish King manage to gain ground, heading towards the town of Sóller via the mythical Pont d'en Barona while looting takes place along the way. It is at this point that the so-called Valentes Dones appear, two sisters represented by the young Sollericas who managed to defend their home by killing the enemy pirate.

The attack turns into a fierce final battle staged in the main square of Soller, where the Sollerics emerge victorious amidst the sound of blunderbuss shots and the smell of gunpowder.

Once the battle is over, the Moors and Christians sing La Balanguera together, which has now become the anthem of Mallorca; a unique and emotional moment that continues with a big party all night long. Don't miss it!

FULL PROGRAMME

3pm, bell ringing. Enemy ships have been spotted. The peasants gather in the Plaça dels Estiradors to take up the fight.

3pm, in the square. Chant of the Brave Women.

3.30pm, in the square. Captain Angelats commends himself to Our Lady of Victory and encourages the people: A la lluita, sollerics! The bandits arrive to help defend the town of Sóller. Afterwards, they receive the Royal Indult.

5pm, at Can Generós beach. The Saracen troops attempt to disembark, but after a hard fight they are repulsed by the Sollerics.

6.15pm, at Repic beach. The Saracens try again to disembark and achieve their goal.

7.15pm, at Pont d'en Barona. Once the Soller troops have retreated, they return to confront the invaders in a fierce battle.

8.30pm, at the Plaça. The Saracen troops that disembarked at Ses Puntes enter the town through Camp de s'Oca. They take out the houses and the church.

8.50pm King Ulutx Ali, who believes he is the victor, arrives to take possession of the Cases de la Vila and thus proclaim his victory.

9pm The returning peasants find the town captured and ransacked. Regrouped in Sa Lluna street and encouraged by Captain Angelats, they fight bravely and, in the end, definitively defeat the enemy.

9.30pmCaptain Angelats proclaims the victory of the Sollerics and gives thanks to the Mare de Déu de la Victòria.
Cant de la Balanguera.

Afterwards, transfer of the Mare de Déu de la Victòria to the church of the Hospice, accompanied by the historical figures and the participants of the Firó. Please respect the order of the procession.