Finally, after two years of fiestas not being allowed on the island, Ciutadella hosts the first one of the year starting on 23rd June 2022. So lovely to see the beautiful horses again.
Category: Menorca – General Information
General information about Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Our New Home 2012
Well, after the panic towards the end of last year, in finding a new home, we are now settled in the lovely village of Cala’n Porter, or Cala en Porter (whichever you prefer).
Cala’n Porter in winter is nothing like Cala’n Porter in summer. Apart from it being much colder (it is currently trying to snow!) the majority of the shops close over winter. A number of bars/restaurants are still open but certainly not buzzing with people, as they are during summer.
It will soon be time to start organising the annual Spring cleans for the properties we look after – there is something quite nice about bringing back to life a villa, or apartment, that has been hibernating over winter. It’s amazing how different they look, and feel, during the winter months.
Martin still has his pools to look after during the winter though only one visit a week is necessary. He looks after a number of gardens also so this gives him more time to keep on top of those. The rain over winter certainly brings things on, in leaps and bounds.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the current cold spell will soon pass – it is forecast to be around -5 or -6 degrees C over the next few days, and it certainly feels like it in the biting winds.
Roll on summer!
Menorcan Horses
Well, we returned to Es Castell square on Sunday lunchtime to see what all the sand had been put down for and were very pleasantly surprised when four of the beautiful Menorcan horses (and riders!) arrived to show us their fancy footwork.
As I have said previously, I am not a great horse lover but there is definitely something special about these magnificent creatures and I just couldn’t tear my eyes away from them. They are both majestic and “pretty”, if that’s the right word to use, and so elegant. It is virtually impossible to see or hear the riders/owners instructing these horses to change direction, change their footwork etc. – they just appear to know when and what to do.
Below is a little information about the history of the Menorcan horse.
The Menorquina breed of horse is from Menorca and is famous for its exciting performances at traditional festives and fiestas throughout the island. The horses are descendents of the Spanish Andalusian and Arabian breeds.
The origin of the Cavall de Raca Menorquina (the horse of the Menorquina race) can actually be traced back to two significant periods in the history of Menorca.
- In 1301 the establishment of the cavalry troops by King Jaume II of Majorca, where the horses that were used as cavalry mounts were agile, strong and manageable. These are all traits which are still as important in the Spanish breeds of today and which are typical of the early ancestor of the Menorquina horse, the Andalusian.
- The second important period was in the 1700’s – the arrival of the English. The English brought horses of thoroughbred blood and the influence of this can be seen in the elegant heads and long legs of the Menorquina horses.
Fiesta San Antonio Abad – Menorca
We had a wander into Es Castell square yesterday morning to see what the Fiesta San Antonio Abad was about, given our knowledge of all things Menorcan is still very limited. Apparently, during the Fiesta a mass is held in honour of Saint Anthony, the patron saint of animals, with a procession offering animal blessings.
We sat for a while in the square watching a large JCB levelling out a great mound of sand and wondering what all that was about. Slowly but surely more and more people and their animals started appearing in the square, also drawn to the JCB and its amazing manouvering abilities.
After some time people started heading off, with their animals, in the direction of the local church so we decided to follow and at the same time received a call from my brother saying “Aren’t you coming”. Five minutes later we arrived in the right place and were surrounded by quite a selection of animals/pets, all waiting in line to be blessed by the local priest.
Included in the line up was an obviously well-loved cuddly toy dog and a bowl with two goldfish in it!
After the smaller animals had been blessed, the majestic Menorcan horses were then ridden past the priest to be blessed – causing a couple to be a little jittery, which is understable, having water sprinkled in their faces. The fact these beautiful animals were literally just inches away from the crowd didn’t appear to unnerve or concern anyone – can you imagine that back in the UK?
Apparently the horses are back in the square today at midday, hence all the sand being prepared yesterday – something I definitely don’t want to miss. I am not really a big fan of horses (if truth be told they rather frighten me!) but these horses are so beautiful and stand so proud. Perfect day too – blue skies and lots of sunshine around.