Every year on January 17th is the day of Saint Anthony – and in many places in Mallorca many celebrations take place around this day, which could not be more different in their kind. Where on the one hand animals are blessed during the day, the fire devils dance in the Sant Antoni night and the places seem to be on fire everywhere due to the many fireplaces. An event not to be missed!
Sant Antoni in Cala Ratjada and Capdepera
Anyone who is out and about in Capdepera on the evening of January 16 and does not know one of the most beautiful celebrations on the island will be amazed! Fires are burning everywhere in the streets, people are mostly wearing white shirts with red scarves. Everywhere there is laughter, singing, drinking and eating – and now and then demons appear and perform a mixture of fighting and dancing, singing loudly. The mood is exuberant, the atmosphere almost mystical and you can feel on every corner how much people were looking forward to this night and the celebration of tradition!
Sant Antoni is one of the most beautiful celebrations of the year for many Mallorcans (and now also for many holidaymakers) and is celebrated accordingly. Already in the afternoon of the day, the demons go with the people through the streets of Capdepera, singing their song and performing their dance to it. Towards evening, bonfires are lit all over the streets and family, neighbors and friends get together. Almost everyone brings something to eat or drink with them and we celebrate together until the early hours of the morning. And if you haven’t celebrated enough in Capdepera, you can enjoy it again a few days later in Cala Ratjada, when the celebrations are also taking place there.
Anthony, patron saint of domestic and farm animals
Also an integral part of the celebrations of Sant Antoni is the blessing of domestic and farm animals, whose patron saint is Antonius. On January 17th, public animal blessings take place in most places in the churches, where the clergy bless animals from goldfish to dogs to goats. This blessing is also accompanied by the residents and visitors of the village and is a fixed date that everyone looks forward to.
Many Cala Ratjada fans have always marked the celebrations around Sant Antoni in their calendars months in advance and book a short vacation to be there at the festival. They look forward to partying with the Mallorcans, experiencing the hospitality and enjoying this very special atmosphere that is difficult to describe in words.
Of course we are always on the way to Sant Antoni and visit our friends’ bonfires to celebrate with them. No matter how many years we have been on the island, we are always excited and overwhelmed by the celebrations and the people at the Sant Antoni Festival. Therefore the clear recommendation: If you haven’t experienced Sant Antoni yet, you should plan to do so next year – a short trip to Mallorca is definitely worth it!
