Sant Antoni

The 17th of January is the day of Sant Antoni Abat, patron of Menorca, protector of livestock and farmers, celebrated in all the Balearic Islands. It's also the day of the anniversary of the liberation of the island from the Muslim domination by King Alfonso III in 1287,  and the consequent annexation of Menorca to the Catalan - Aragonese crown ("Diada del Poble de Menorca"). 

In Sant Lluís and Mahon is celebrated with a mass, barbeque, demonstration of trained hawks, markets, parade and, my favourite part, the blessing of animals: everyone goes in the street bringing horses, pigs, goldfishes, chikens, to receive the blessing from the priest.

The typical dish is the sandwich with sobrasada frita, the typical Menorcan sausage, but fried.

[Pictures from menorcaaldia.com]