Celebrating the Day of the Balearic Islands in Palma

If you find yourself in Palma between the last days of February and the first two days of March - sometimes three or four - you may be surprised by some picturesque events and characters that are not usually present at other times of the year.

There are groups of "dimonis" - demons - leaping and jingling their bells, startling passersby, or playing pranks on children; troops of medieval soldiers keeping watch over the city; traditional music groups, with their drums and flutes... And all of this happens very close to Es Príncep, in Paseo Sagrera, in the center of Palma, and in Sa Feixina Square.

March 1st, the Day of the Balearic Islands

But many more things happen. It's the day when everyone can visit the Consolat de Mar, the governing body of the islands, and it's also the date when the prestigious Ramon Llull awards and the gold medals of the autonomous community are presented.

The Day of the Balearic Islands is celebrated on March 1st because, on that same date in 1983, the Autonomy Statute of the autonomous community was recognized, which meant the possibility of self-government and the activation of the principles of cooperation among the peoples of all the Balearic Islands. Since 2007, the day has been a regional holiday, and the four islands celebrate it with nearly three hundred gastronomic, sports, cultural, and institutional events.

The Medieval Market of Palma, a Journey through the Senses

One of the most popular activities takes place throughout much of the center of Palma. It's a medieval market where you can see native animals from the islands, from the prized black pig to Menorcan horses or Ibiza chickens, greyhounds, or birds of prey.

There are also stalls where you can experience what it was like to be a child in the Middle Ages and enjoy old but well-maintained attractions and games from that time.

Crafts, typical products of Mallorca, beads, and various stages for popular dance performances are distributed, linking square to square, sometimes on cobblestone pavements - those around the Es Baluard museum, which have their origins in the medieval period - sometimes on modern pedestrian paths.

The Medieval Food on March 1st: Impossible to Resist

The gastronomic part of the medieval market would deserve a separate report. The air smells of roasted meat, spices, stewed potatoes, octopus... No matter where in Spain so many delicacies come from, in Sa Feixina Square you can taste products from the island, but also from other lands and with other culinary traditions.

Huge grills where all kinds of meat and sausage are roasted make passersby unable to resist tasting a bite, and Mallorcan turnovers, "cocas de trampó" or "cocarrois" compete with roasts, paellas, stuffed potatoes... But it doesn't matter. The medieval market is always the weekend before or after March 1st, so there's always time to try various delicacies on different days. Or take them home to enjoy calmly with a good drink and better company.

This March 1st falls on a Friday, so we suggest visiting the Rooftop of Es Príncep to watch a beautiful sunset over the bay of Palma and enjoy, from the height, the bustle, and festivities of the surroundings.