Yesterday, Sóller held its Es Firó festivities, the annual re-enactment of the battle against Moorish invaders, also known as the battle of the Moros y Cristianos.

There are a number of Moros y Cristianos events in Mallorca throughout the year, at different dates and in different places. The main event, historically speaking, would have to be the offensive assault lead by Jaume I from Aragón, bringing his troops from Catalunya to Mallorca, and landing in Santa Ponça in September of 1229. The operation was successfully concluded on December 31st, 1229, after a siege lasting three months. Ibn Abū Yahyā, then Mallorcas’s Almohad Wali, finally capitulated. In Mallorca, this historical event is called the Reconquista. Santa Ponça celebrates Jaume’s historic landing every year in September.

Sóller and Pollença, on the other hand, commemorate successful defensive battles against Moorish invaders in 1550 and 1561, respectively.

Sóller’s historic battle against the invading Moors is thought to have taken place May 11th, 1561. Yesterday, this battle between Moors and Christians, Sóller-style, was re-enacted, first in Port de Sóller, and then in Sóller proper. Sóller was victorious at the time under its brave Capità Angelats with the help of the valiant town folks from Sóller, and again yesterday. The invaders were led by the Rei Moro, who first thought he had conquered Sóller, but ultimately had to accept that his men were defeated.

Thousands of Sollerics participated yesterday, exhibiting lots of enthusiasm and expressing plenty of pride.

The photo was taken in Sóller, Mallorca, Spain. The date: May 11th, 2009. The time was 12:30:56.