The Spanish island of Menorca has always been a popular holiday destination for Brits, with the gorgeous beaches and eternally glorious weather attracting hundreds of thousands of sun seekers each year.
But Menorca isn’t just a place for topping up the tan for a week or two. It has a rich and diverse history that makes it something of a cultural hotspot in Spain.
This is never more obvious than during the festival of Sant Joan in Ciutadella, a town at the western end of Menorca.
Taking place this Sunday, and the following weekend, the festival of Sant Joan is one steeped in history and religious tradition.
It sees the town come together in celebration, with horsemen dressed in formal attire making up the focal point of the festival.
The origin of the festivities dates back centuries. The official birth date of the festival is unknown, but historians believe it is linked to the Sant Joan d’Artrutx chapel in Ciutadella.
Before the main celebrations on 23 and 24 June, the Day of the Lamb is marked this Sunday. This official start to the festival will see members of the festival committee gather at the palace of the “caixer senyor” before marching around the historic streets of Ciutadella where they are joined by local people.
The following weekend sees the start of the festival proper, when horses and their riders become the stars of the show.
The fiesta will then continue for two whole days, with colourful costumes, loud music and plenty of dancing and revelry. Sunday 24 June marks the end of the festival, when the piper plays his final notes.
So, if you are planning a trip to Menorca in the next couple of weeks, why not explore further than the beach and check out the festival of Sant Joan? You will not be disappointed!
(Images: Festes de Sant Joan)
