Es Firó in Sóller: the Moors and Christians battle

According to the Ajuntament de Sóller's fact sheet, on 11 May 1561 the town was attacked by a band of Turkish-Algerian corsairs. Raids like this were common in 16th-century Mallorca and often ended with the towns destroyed or looted, but that day the people of Sóller drove the invaders off. For that feat the town decided to mark the date every year.

Until 1854 the celebration was made up of religious acts and a procession with the image of the Mare de Déu de la Victòria. In 1855 the town council decided to add a re-enactment of the events and chose the Monday after the second Sunday of May, the day of the agricultural and livestock fair. The day has been called Es Firó ever since. Over the years the Valentes Dones (the women who, according to tradition, stood up to the attackers), the battles in the Port and the sacking of the square were added, and since the 1990s the Firó groups (Moros, Pagesos and Pageses) have taken part, giving the festival the large turnout it has today.

The Enciclopèdia Catalana sums it up as the popular festival of Sóller that recalls the victory over Turkish pirates in 1561. For more local history, see the curiosities of Sóller.

The order of acts the Ajuntament describes for the main day is as follows (times change every year):

1. Flower offering in the morning at the monument on the Desvío road.
2. Mass at Can Tamany, the house where, by legend, the episode of the Valentes Dones took place.
3. Speech by Captain Angelats, in the afternoon, and the withdrawal of the Saracen troops to the Port.
4. Two battles in the Port, one around es Través and one on the Platja d'en Repic.
5. Battle of the Barona bridge, on the way to town.
6. Sacking of the square and the victory of Sóller, proclaimed by Captain Angelats in a closing speech.
7. Singing of La Balanguera and the return of the image of the Virgin of Victory to the church of the Sang del Hospital.

The days before are quieter: according to mallorca.com there is a proclamation of the Valentes Dones, and the image of the Virgin is carried through town to the church with an offering of flowers. The day before the Monday is linked to Sa Fira, with stalls in the streets and many people in traditional Mallorcan dress. Participants dress as Moors, farmers or farmers' wives.

• Platja d'en Repic and es Través (Port): the two seaside battles. The best place to see the landing; see the guide to Port de Sóller.
• Barona bridge: the third fight, on the road between the Port and the town.
• Plaça de sa Constitució: the sacking, the victory and the closing with La Balanguera, in front of the church of Sant Bartomeu.

You will have to choose between watching the landing calmly in the Port or reaching town early to get a spot in the square. Doing both is hard unless you plan carefully.

• Arrive early: the town and the Port fill up and the central streets are closed to traffic.
• Comfortable shoes and a hat: you will be on your feet in the sun for hours, with a lot of walking between acts.
• With children: it is a family festival, but there is gunpowder noise and a crowd; keep little ones close and away from the fighting area.
• Book lunch: restaurants in the Port and on the square fill up; reserve ahead or bring a snack.
• Photos: get a spot at the side early, not in the middle of the groups' route.

Port de Sóller is a few kilometres from the town and the two are linked by the tram; the train runs from Palma to the town.

• By train and tram: the Sóller train runs from Palma and the tram links the town with the Port. It is the easiest way to get around on festival days.
• By car: park on the outskirts and walk; the guide to parking in Sóller explains the options. On the big days streets in the centre are closed and car parks fill early.
• By taxi or bus: see taxi and transport. If you are coming from elsewhere on the island, check getting to Sóller before you set off.

To sleep near the event, see the best hotels in Sóller and the hotels in Port de Sóller. On festival days rooms go early, so book ahead and confirm the conditions on each property's official website.

Exact dates and times change every year and are published by the Ajuntament de Sóller. Before you book travel or a hotel, confirm them on the Ajuntament de Sóller events calendar or its festes section (in Catalan). This guide gives only the stable pattern of each festival, not a specific programme.

Other festivals in the valley: Sant Bartomeu, Sant Antoni, Holy Week, Havaneres gathering, Classical Music Festival. You will find them all, month by month, in the cultural calendar and festivals of Sóller.