The oldest fair in Mallorca

Around the end of May and start of May, the island’s fairs come in a great rush. Some are May fairs in that they are held on May Day.

Others are movable, depending for example on the date for the first Sunday of the month. And so it is with the Sineu Fair, which merits pride of place among all the island’s fairs because it is the oldest.

The exact year of origin is subject to some debate. 1318 is generally accepted to have been when it started, but because of doubts, the town hall muted celebrations of the 700th anniversary in 2018.

Back in the fourteenth century, Sineu was the unofficial capital of Mallorca outside Palma. The village enjoyed special royal privilege, not least because this was where King Jaume II established his royal palace in the sticks.

The fair is the epitome of rural society and so features animals, competitions for hunting dogs and sheep as well as artisan products and more diverse attractions like classic vehicles. On the day, there will be no shortage of food and so very traditional peasant cuisine, such as ‘frito mallorquín’.