Moors and Christians: Sóller and Pollença

Every year two Mallorcan towns re-enact the battles against the pirates who raided the island in the 16th century, with hundreds of locals in costume, blunderbusses and plenty of gunpowder.

• Es Firó in Sóller (May, around the second weekend of the month): commemorates the 1561 attack, fought off by the people of Sóller with help from the "brave women" of Can Tamany. The battle takes place in the port and the town.
• Moors and Christians in Pollença (2 August): commemorates the 1550 defence against the pirate Dragut, led by Joan Mas; the street battle is intense and very emotional.

If you go, wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty, bring earplugs and arrive early: the towns get packed.

Es Firó in Sóller always falls on the Monday after the second Sunday in May, a local holiday: in 2026 it was on 11 May and in 2027 it will be on the 10th. The festivities start a few days before, with music, exhibitions and family events, and the big moments come on the Sunday and Monday. Central Sóller has been a low emission zone since 2026 and the town gets packed, so the easiest way in is the train from Palma or the bus.

In Pollença the battle is on 2 August, the day of the patron saint, the Mare de Déu dels Àngels, and it has been staged since 1860. The roles of Joan Mas, who leads the Christians, and the corsair Dragut are chosen by local vote and are a real honour in the town. There's gunpowder and running through the streets: with small children, watch from a balcony or a side street, away from the front line.

Frequently asked questions

When is Es Firó in Sóller in 2027?

Es Firó is held on the Monday after the second Sunday in May, so in 2027 it falls on Monday 10 May, a local holiday in Sóller. Events start a few days earlier, and the main ones take place on the Sunday and Monday.

What day are the Moors and Christians in Pollença?

Always on 2 August, the feast of the patron saint, the Mare de Déu dels Àngels. It recalls the town's defence against the corsair Dragut in 1550 and has been staged since 1860, with hundreds of locals in costume in the streets.

Updated in October 2026