May in Mallorca - Fiesta fun at Hotel L’Avenida

Fiestas form a major part of the cultural customs of Mallorca and in the quiet, picturesque town of Soller on Mallorca’s North West coast, preparations are already underway for one of the grandest and most spectacular fiestas of the island’s calendar - Es Firo.

This year the celebrations are taking place from 8-12 May and will see the narrow, medieval streets of the town transformed into the setting for the re-enactment of a battle which commemorates the victory by the residents of Soller over the Moorish invaders in 1561.

For a spectacular view of the celebrations one of the best places to stay is in the heart of the town at the Hotel L’Avenida, an eight bedroomed boutique hotel that is wrapped within the shell of a century old mansion house.

The fiesta dates back to the 16th century when Mallorca was under constant siege from pirates and, according to legend, when a group of invaders landed at the port of Soller they tried to enter the house of sisters, Catalina and Francisca Casesnoves. Far from being terrified the sisters fought and killed the invaders using the bar which bolted the door and in so doing helped towards the town’s victory. The bar still exists and two local girls are chosen each year to represent the ‘Valentes Done’ or ‘brave women’, whilst others are chosen to play the Moorish invaders and the Christian countrymen.

The battle for the town is then re-enacted, beginning with a mass conducted in the house of the Casesnoves sisters. This is followed by the ‘Firo de Soller’ in the afternoon, when over 1200 people stage the ‘battle’ of 1561, and the air becomes thick with the smoke of gunpowder. This year the ‘Festes de Moros i Cristians’ is taking place on Monday, 12 May.

During the festival rooms at Hotel L’Avenida costs from €225 (£200) per room, per night for a standard room, rising to €345 (£305) for a luxury suite including breakfast plus 7% service tax. For reservations and more information, log on to Avenida-hotel.com.