The most spectacular fiesta event of the year is in Soller

It’s not just a highlight of the week, it’s a highlight of the entire year.

Es Firó in Soller is the afters of the Soller Fair and is one of the two major reenactments of heroic deeds from the sixteenth century (Pollensa is the other) when villagers plus militia repelled invaders - the Moors, a term that isn’t entirely accurate but has come to be the accepted one.

Soller’s mock battles outdo Pollensa’s in that the whole event lasts a lot longer and covers a much greater area; the port and the village are locations. As a spectacle, it can legitimately be said to be unrivalled in Mallorca’s fiestas calendar. There is some licence with the facts (as there is in Pollensa), but in general it is pretty faithful to what happened on May 11, 1561.

The climax is the defeat of the invaders’ leader, Ulutx Ali, by the Soller captain, Joan Angelats. For safety reasons, entrance to the square for this is now controlled; you need an official wristband. 

Programme

• 10am: At the monument to the heroes followed by mass at Can Tamany with the 'brave women', pipers and dignitaries
• 3pm: Bells ring to warn that the enemy has been seen
• 3.30pm: Captain Angelats places his trust in the Mare de Déu de la Victòria and commands the people into battle, Plaça Constitució
• 5pm: First Saracen attack. Landing at Can Generós beach is repelled
• 6.15pm: The second landing, at Repic beach, is successful
• 7.15pm: Battle at Pont d'en Barona
• 8.30pm: Saracens enter the village and sack houses and the church
• 8.50pm: Ulutx Ali arrives to claim victory
• 9pm: The Sollerics regroup in C. Sa Lluna and finally overcome the enemy. 9.30pm: Captain Angelats proclaims the victory.