04 August 2023
San Ciriaco: Ibiza’s patron saint festivities
They say that any time is a good time for festivities and celebrations, and even more so if you are on holiday in Ibiza or Formentera. During the first week of August, the island celebrates its patron saint festivities in style. While the day of Santa María de las Nieves, female patron saint of Ibiza, is celebrated on the 5th of August, on the 8th of August is the turn of San Ciriaco, the island’s male patron saint.
The city of Ibiza commemorates the Christian conquest with various festive events, parades, fireworks and the occasional procession. If you want to know more about the festivities of San Ciriaco, we’ll tell you everything you need to know below.
What is celebrated on the 8th of August in Ibiza and Formentera?
Perhaps you’ve heard of the festivities of San Ciriaco, but you don’t know what they celebrate. Well, on the 8th of August an important day is commemorated, both for the island of Ibiza as for the island of Formentera: the Christian conquest that took place in 1235. This event represented a before and after in the religious and cultural life of the islands. In short, a new beginning.
As a historical note, it’s worth mentioning that it was on the 8th of August of 1235 when the Christian troops, led by Guillermo de Montgrí, first conquered the city of Ibiza, then the rest of the island and finally the island of Formentera.
The legend of San Ciriaco
The legend of San Ciriaco revolves around the chapel of the same name. It’s undoubtedly one of the most interesting places in Dalt Vila, the historic centre of the city of Ibiza.
This chapel, located on Calle San Ciriaco, was built in 1754 in honour of San Ciriaco. Due to its location, in a very narrow and steep street, it’s quite common for it to go unnoticed by many of those who pass by on their way to the cathedral.
If you go inside the chapel, you can see the beginning of the tunnel through which the Christian troops entered the city. Legend has it that at the time, the Muslim governor of Ibiza and his brother’s wife were secretly having an affair. When the latter found out, in retaliation, he wanted to betray his brother by revealing his exact position in the secret tunnel to the Christian troops.
In order to attract good fortune, it’s a tradition to throw coins through the arch through which the Christian troops supposedly passed on 8 August. We don’t know if it works, but.... You don’t lose anything if you try!
Festive events in Ibiza: the procession of San Ciriaco
San Ciriaco de Atalia is not only the patron saint of Ibiza, but he is also one of the fourteen auxiliary saints, noted for his great popular devotion. This is why the 8th of August is a big day for the city of Ibiza, for the rest of the island, and also for Formentera.
It’s well worth attending the religious celebration that takes place every year in Ibiza’s cathedral in honour of this saint. Once the mass is over, a procession starts from the cathedral, leading the image of San Ciriaco through the streets of the city and ending in the Plaza de España square.
A beautiful floral offering will also take place there, as well as a performance of ‘payés’ dance, the traditional dance typical of the islands of Ibiza and Formentera.
And, if you don’t feel like taking part in the solemn mass or attending the procession of San Ciriaco, you’ll also have the chance to celebrate this festive day in another way. Every year, the city organises a popular snack or berenada, as well as a spectacular display of fireworks which, from midnight onwards, you can enjoy from the port or from the city’s seafront promenade.
