{"id":5383,"date":"2024-06-07T13:03:38","date_gmt":"2024-06-07T11:03:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vacalia.com\/blog\/?p=5383"},"modified":"2025-07-07T12:48:32","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T10:48:32","slug":"celebratiom-sant-joan-festivities-ciutadella-menorca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vacalia.com\/blog\/en\/celebratiom-sant-joan-festivities-ciutadella-menorca\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebration of the Sant Joan Festivities in Ciutadella, Menorca"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The festival of Sant Joan is made up of three days: the \u00abDiumenge des Be\u00bb day, which we talked about in the previous article, the vigil and the day of Sant Joan. This time we are going to dive into possibly the most important festivities in Menorca<\/a>. On the 23rd and 24th of June, the most eagerly awaited and exciting celebrations of the year take place. These festivities attract a large number of visitors to the island from all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Sant
Sant Joan, Ciutadella<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The vigil, the eve of Saint John’s Eve<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The festivities begin on 23rd June, known as the \u00abDissabte de Sant Joan\u00bb. At two o’clock in the afternoon, the \u00abFabioler\u00bb asks permission at the palace of the \u00abCaixer Senyor\u00bb, the highest authority of the \u00abqualcada\u00bb and representative of the aristocracy, to officially begin the festivities. This act, known as the \u00abPrimer toc\u00bb, is charged with emotion and symbolises the start of the celebrations with the first sound of the flute and drum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is followed by the \u00abreplec\u00bb, where the \u00abFabioler\u00bb, leading a retinue, collects the different components of the \u00abQualcada de cavallers\u00bb, \u00abcavalcada\u00bb or \u00abcabalgada\u00bb. With the cavalcade of knights formed, the flag of Sant Joan is handed over to the \u00abCaixer Fadr\u00ed\u00bb. This is a crucial moment, as it marks the formal start of the parades and events that will take place over the following days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caragol des Born and the Pilgrimage<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The streets of the centre of Ciutadella <\/a>are dominated by the horses and their respective riders carrying them on two legs, or doing \u00abbots\u00bb (jumps).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most outstanding events of the day is the \u00abCaragol des Born\u00bb, after gathering all the \u00abCaixers\u00bb, the festival of Sant Joan moves to the Pla\u00e7a des Born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At exactly six o’clock sharp, the \u00abCaixer Senyor\u00bb and the chaplain, representing the Church in the \u00abQualcada\u00bb, gallop into the square from the Cathedral, marking the start of the \u00abCaragol des Born\u00bb. The first and third rounds are performed to the traditional music of the Jaleo.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Caragol
Caragol des Born<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

In the afternoon, the celebration moves to the small chapel of Sant Joan, located about three kilometres from Ciutadella. Here, a mass is held in honour of the saint, followed by a meal and drinks to regain strength before returning to the village. At the same time, in the Avenida de la Constituci\u00f3n \u00abSa Contramurada\u00bb and the palm tree square, the traditional hazelnut \u00abwar\u00bb takes place, a playful and colourful event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The night of Sant Joan<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At dusk, the horsemen return to the town to take part in the \u00abCaragol de Ses Voltes\u00bb, a route through the narrow, beautiful medieval streets of the town centre. The day concludes with the \u00abCorregudes\u00bb (races) in the Cathedral square and the \u00abCaragol de Santa Clara\u00bb in the convent of the same name, where the riders and horses go around the streets of Ciutadella and enter people’s houses. It is a suitable moment for all ages.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Sant
Sant Joan Riders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The night ends with the traditional \u00abBeguda de Caixers\u00bb in the palace of the \u00abCaixer Senyor\u00bb and a farewell that lasts until the early hours of the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sant Joan’s Day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 24th of June, the day of Sant Joan, begins early with the \u00abFabioler\u00bb asking permission again at the palace of the \u00abCaixer Senyor\u00bb. The day continues with a series of festive events including the \u00abMissa de Caixers\u00bb in the Cathedral, where the participants gather for a religious ceremony followed by a drink of \u00abCaixers\u00bb and knights at the home of the \u00abCaixer Capell\u00e0\u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Caixers
Caixers Mass<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Medieval Tournaments and Games<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the afternoon, the cavalcade forms up again to go to the port, where the \u00abJocs des Pla\u00bb are held. The Games are the recreation of the medieval games in this area of the port of Ciutadella where thousands of people gather. There are three different games:<\/p>\n\n\n\n