Santa Ponsa prepares for royal landing

While ports such as Andratx, Soller and Pollensa hold mock battles between Moors and Christians, commemorating pirate raids that were beaten off, Santa Ponsa celebrates the arrival of the Catalan troops who, under King Jaume I, landed in 1229 and took the island from the Moors. Celebrations started at the end of last month, but reach their peak today and tomorrow with a colourful and varied programme. There will be a medieval market in the Passeig Marítim of Santa Ponsa today, tomorrow and Sunday, from 12 noon to 2pm and 5pm to midnight. This is more than just a few stalls with stall holders in fancy dress. Today, for example, there will be a parade at 12 noon, with musicians and jugglers, followed by a puppet show at 12.30, story telling at 1pm, more music at 1.30pm, walking on hot coals between 12.30 and 1pm and knife throwing between 5.30 and 6pm, ending with a fire spectacle at 9.30pm. At 7pm at the Plaça de la Pinada, there will be a dance of knights, while the Sarracens and Christians will set up their camps, prior to the Sarracen parade at 8pm from the Plaça de la Pinada to Carrer Puig de Gallatzo and back. Dancing at 10pm will be followed by a fire spectacle. The Christian ships land at 5.30pm tomorrow, when there will be more parades and a battle on the beach, ending with a fireworks display at 11pm and a dance at 11.30pm.