January 17th is San Antonio day, and the celebrations which take place on this public holiday couldn't be further away from the image of the town that most holidaymakers have. On the week's lead up to the day we've had boating regattas, folk dancing Mallorca style, musical groups, a fish barbecue, and a play by Molière! (Molly who?).
However the celebrations culminate on 17th with the charming ceremony of the Benediction of the Animals, in which the local priest receives and blesses people's animals in the main 'fountains' square of the town. It's great fun to see hundreds of people lined up with dogs, cats, hamsters, parrots, sheep, goats, and even horses waiting for the blessing, and not a single fight breaks out! The day is capped off by a parade of traditional horse drawn carts round the Paseo. Great fun!