BALEARIC ISLANDS: Mediterranean Paradise
This wonderful group of islands is divided into Gimnesias (Mallorca, Menorca and Cabrera) in the North, and Pitiusas (Ibiza andFormentera) in the South-West.Their excellent climate with some 300 days of sun per year, wonderful beaches, a rich cultural offer and the unusual hospitality of their inhabitants make Balearic Islands one of the preferred holiday destinations in Spain. There are more passengers at the airport of Palma de Mallorca than at the airport of any other Spanish city.
Hardly anybody who has spent holidays here didn't wish to return, in fact, many visitors have made the islands their permanent home. Each of the islands has a strong personality all of its own, and each of them offers much more but the possibility to spend nice holidays at the beach.
Balearic Islands: Fiestas and Folklore
Balearic Islands have a great richdom of archaical traditions, consequence of their old civilization. Most of their "Fiestas" are very colorful and attractive for the visitor.The folklore of Mallorca is characterized by melodious music and ceremonial dances. And representative for Ibiza are its primitive dances of very old traditions.
Among the most important "Fiestas" of the islands are:
Mallorca:
The procession of the three Magi, on December, 5 in Palma de Mallorca.The Fiesta of des foguerons, at January, 6 is celebrated in Sa Pobla, Artà, Sòller andMuro with fire and regional dances. The following day, there is a procession of horse coaches in Muro, and in Pollença a tree is erected at the square Plaza Vieja. People then try to climb to its top.
Typical for the festival of San Sebastian, at January, 20, are the numerous small fires lit in Palma.Carnival in Palma, in February, is a lively spectacle with colorful masks.
During Semana Santa, Easter week, there are processions everywhere. Of remarkable beauty are those of Thursday and Friday in Sineu.
At the second Sunday of May, is celebrated in Soller the mise en scène of the fight between the inhabitants of the islands against the Saracens.
Another historical battle, the one between Joan Mas and the pirates who attacked the island, you can observe in Pollença, on August, 2 during the celebrations of the Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de los Angeles.
In July takes place the Jazz Festival of Palma.Feria of Inca, in November, is an original popular festival, celebrated on three Sundays. After that, there are more "Ferias" in Santa María la Mayor and Dijous Bo.
At December, 31 Palma says good-bye to the old year with the Fiesta del Estandarte, the "festival of the banner".
Menorca:
The island's most important "Fiesta" is San Juan, on June, 23 and 24, celebrated almost without changes for 600 years. It's climax is the so-called "Jaleo", a spectacular performance with horses and medieval dresses. Also a pilgrimship forms part of this festivity.
On June, 29 Verbenas de San Juan, with regional dances and music, take place.
The "Fiestas" of San Martin in Mercadal, on the third Sunday in July, and of Nuestra Señora de Gracia, on September, 8 in Mahón, are both of medieval tradition. During the latter you can see another "Jaleo".
Ibiza:
January, 17 the festival of the patron, San Antonio Abad.Santa Eulalia, on the first Sunday in May, is extraordinarily colorful and includes a procession of horse coaches.Nostra Senyora des Neus, on August, 5, and Fiestas de la Reconquista on August, 8, show the regional folklore at its best.
On August, 24 there are sports and cultural performances in San Antonio to celebrate the Fiesta de San Bartolomé.
Balearic Islands: History
The numerous prehistorical findings made on Balearic Islands are not only of importance for studies on the history of the islands, but of all Europe. Alone on Menorca some 500 findings were made, that is why it is nicknamed sometimes a prehistorical open air museum. The monumental stone constructions, Talayots, Taulas and Navetas, probably served for ritual ceremonies.
Of great importance are Asentamiento de Trepucó, at 2 km from Mahón, the Talayot de Trebaluger in the surroundings of Villacarlos, and theNaveta des Tudoms close to Ciutadela, the biggest and best conserved prehistorical monument. At Mallorca the Talayot de Sa Canova and the remains of settlements Ses Paises, Capocorb Vell and Claper dels Gegants need to be mentioned.
Almost all the important cultures left their traces on the islands: Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Carthagineans, Byzanthinians, Moors, ...
Mallorca was conquered in 1229 by Jaime I of the Spanish kingdom Aragon. He left the island to his son, Jaime II, as an independent kingdom, but in 1243 it became again part of Aragon.
Menorca became part of Aragon in 1231. The island was then frequently attacked by pirates, many fortifications still remind of that epoch. In 18thcentury, as a consequence of the treaty of Utrecht, Menorca belonged to the British empire, and the architectonical style, specially of Mahón, is clearly influenced by that fact. After a short French domination the island became part of Spain in 1802, by the treaty of Amiens.
Historical findings on Ibiza prove to us that this island was an important Carthaginean colony. As a consequence of the war between Carthago and Rome, Romans conquered the island. From 707 it was dominated by Moors, until they were expelled by Jaime I. Also Ibiza and Formenterawhere frequently attacked by pirates, the latter was even temporarily left by its population.
Of great importance are Asentamiento de Trepucó, at 2 km from Mahón, the Talayot de Trebaluger in the surroundings of Villacarlos, and theNaveta des Tudoms close to Ciutadela, the biggest and best conserved prehistorical monument. At Mallorca the Talayot de Sa Canova and the remains of settlements Ses Paises, Capocorb Vell and Claper dels Gegants need to be mentioned.
Almost all the important cultures left their traces on the islands: Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Carthagineans, Byzanthinians, Moors, ...
Mallorca was conquered in 1229 by Jaime I of the Spanish kingdom Aragon. He left the island to his son, Jaime II, as an independent kingdom, but in 1243 it became again part of Aragon.
Menorca became part of Aragon in 1231. The island was then frequently attacked by pirates, many fortifications still remind of that epoch. In 18thcentury, as a consequence of the treaty of Utrecht, Menorca belonged to the British empire, and the architectonical style, specially of Mahón, is clearly influenced by that fact. After a short French domination the island became part of Spain in 1802, by the treaty of Amiens.
Historical findings on Ibiza prove to us that this island was an important Carthaginean colony. As a consequence of the war between Carthago and Rome, Romans conquered the island. From 707 it was dominated by Moors, until they were expelled by Jaime I. Also Ibiza and Formenterawhere frequently attacked by pirates, the latter was even temporarily left by its population.
Balearic Islands: Gastronomy
The cuisine of Balearic Islands, of course of Mediterranean tradition, has gained a great reputation in all Spain. It is extraordinarly varied - more than 600 different recipes are considered typical "Balearic". The internationally best known recipe is ... mayonnaise - although out of Spain there is hardly somebody today who knows that it orignally came from Menorca. In Spanish language it is called Salsa Mahónesa, and it was prepared for the first time in Mahón.The typical sausages are well-known in all Spain, above all the Sobrasada Mallorquina, a very spicy sort of spread of red color. In its fat you may fry other ingredients. In the case of lamb, results are called Cordero asado al estilo de Mahón, in the case of eggs Huevos fritos al estilo de Soller.
Typical of Mallorca is a variety of clear soups with noodles, fish or meat, and vegetable sauces. Tumbet is made of sliced potatoes and egg-plants covered with tomato sauce and peppers. Egg-plant stuffed with fish or meat are other common recipes. If you like seafood, you shouldn't miss theCigala Mallorquina, a species which exists only here. Rostit is pork made in the oven with liver, eggs, bread and apples. More specialities are Pollo relleno de Granada, chicken stuffed with pomegranates, Pechuga de Pavo con Salsa de Almendras, turkey in almond sauce, and Pichones en Salsa de Castañas, pigeon in chestnut sauce. The sweet Ensaimadas are well known in all the Spanish speaking world.
In Menorca you will try fish and seafood at their best: Caldereta de Langosta, seafood with peppers, onions, tomato, garlic and herb-flavored liqueur, or Arroz con Langosta, seafood and rice. Another speciality is Perdiz Menorquina, partridge prepared in the island's typical style.
Ibiza has exceptional fish recipes as well: Burrida de Ratjada, ray with almonds, Langosta Ibicenca, or Guisat de Marisc, a delicious "hotpot" of fish and seafood.
Coques, small quadratic tartlets with fish, meat or vegetables you will find on all the islands. Wine is produced only in Mallorca, as well as several liqueurs. A speciality of Ibiza is its herb-flavored liqueur - certainly not a bad way to finish an opulent meal.
No comments:
Post a Comment