Travel
Following the trials, successful
competitors are awarded palm canes
tied to a silver spoon. Then everyone
goes off to lunch featuring -- what
else, a little gin and lemonade. Soon
the parade again forms at the city
church and rounds through the
streets. Many children attend the
festivities during the day, and at
times the horsemen stop to let
children pet the animals.
The final contests of the Medieval
Games are held in the late afternoon
and draw an even larger and more
densely packed crowd. I’d have to
rank standing in the path of the
galloping horses and riders with
lances nearly as dangerous as
running with the bulls in Pamplona.
But like Pamplona, Minorca is Spain,
and the people wouldn’t have it any
other way.
Minorcan horse festivals happen
throughout the summer in the other
cities on the island, but Ciutadella’s
Festival of Saint John is the oldest
and most famous. Regrettably, I did
not see the ending ceremony or
fireworks the following night.
If you get the chance to attend, do
not miss it. Just don’t imbibe too
much of the festival drink, be alert
and you will have one of the most
thrilling memories of your life.
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