La Festa de l'Estendard, the oldest civic festival
Every 31 December, Palma commemorates the entry of Jaume I's troops into the city in 1229. It is the oldest festival of its kind in the Crown of Aragon and one of the oldest civic festivals in Europe, declared an intangible Bien de Interés Cultural. On the eve, in the afternoon, wreaths are laid at the monument to Jaume I in Plaça d'Espanya. On the 31st, in Plaça de Cort, with the Ajuntament's façade draped in red, the royal standard and the Cimera are put in place while La Balanguera plays; a procession with cavallets, cossiers and the Cavallers de Sant Jordi goes to La Seu for Mass and, back in Cort, the standard is raised and La Colcada is recited.
- When
- –
- Where
- Plaça de Cort, the Cathedral and Plaça d'Espanya, Palma
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Getting there
Plaça de Cort is in the centre of Palma, about 13 km from the airport (about 20 minutes by car with no traffic); EMT line A1 reaches Plaça d'Espanya, where the monument to Jaume I stands.
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