Sant Antoni Bonfires in the Balearic Islands
Every year on 17th January the Balearic Islands celebrate one of its most traditional celebrations, the Fiesta de Sant Antoni. Its origin dates back to the old agricultural way of life of the Island inhabitants, when they looked to the saint, patron saint of domesticated animals, to protect the animals that were so essential to them in their work in the fields.
For many villages in Mallorca such as Sa Pobla, Artà or Sant Joan, the Saint’s Day is a local holiday. And, even in those villages where it is not, it is still very joyfully celebrated, with people thronging the streets and congregating around bonfires, dancing with the Devil or taking their animals and pets to their local church to be blessed by Sant Antoni.
I recommend you to visit the Museum of Sant Antoni and the Devil in Sa Pobla to discover the roots of this traditional festivity. The new museum is situated in the recently restored railway station of Sa Pobla, and holds elements of the fiesta for Sant Antoni, such as the demons and the giant heads, amongst others. It also includes an exhibition of photographs, pictures, symbols and an audiovisual that, together with explanatory texts, put the visitors into the essence of this fiesta documented in Sa Pobla since the XIV century. Sa Pobla is one of the towns where Sant Antoni is celebrated more intensely, particularly the “Revetlla”, the witching night with bonfires and devils, songs and “ximbombades” (special percussion hand drum).
Huge bonfires are lit on the Eve of Sant Antoni in the main streets of each town and eople dance around the flames which symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. Music of xeremieres, the local bagpipers, greets everybody who toasts bread and sausages over the embers. In Sa Pobla, the culinary treat of the fiesta is s’espinagada, a dish based on eels.
The festivity continues the following day, San Antoni’s Day with solemn masses in almost every town. In Ciutadella the celebration of the Mass at the Cathedral, followed by the traditional procession of “Els Tres Tocs”, a very ancient celebration that commemorates the Menorcan conquer by King Anfós, in 1287. The procession is headed by three representatives of the City Council, the Bishop and the clergy, starting at the Cathedral and going via the Roser until the ancient Portal d’Artrutx. The celebrations of the Sant Antoni’s day also includes a market in the Plaça de Sant Antoni selling oranges, dates and “garballons” with music by the Agrupació Musical.
Other towns throughout Spain also celebrate the Fiesta de Sant Antoni which also includes the Blessing of the Animals when all the village pets receive the protection of the Saint for one more year.
Useful Information
Sant Antoni 07 in Sa Pobla
santantoni@ajsapobla.net
