What to expect
Montuïri celebrates its patron saint Sant Bartomeu every year on 23 and 24 August, and the stars of the festival are the Cossiers. This ritual dance is one of the oldest surviving dances on Mallorca, with roots reaching back at least to the Middle Ages. Six dancers in white robes with colourful ribbons, hats and bells move through the village lanes together with the Dama and the Dimoni. The Dimoni, dressed as a devil, disrupts the dances, teases the spectators and is symbolically defeated by the Dama at the end.
On 23 August, the eve of the feast day, the Cossiers begin their tour of Montuïri in the afternoon. They dance in front of houses, on squares and in narrow lanes, accompanied by flute and drum. The night then belongs to the Revetla, with music and celebrations until late. On 24 August, the feast day itself, the Cossiers dance again, including at the ceremonial entry into the church of Sant Bartomeu during the festival mass. The Ballet de l'Oferta inside the church is considered the most moving moment of the festival.
Unlike many summer festivals on the island, Sant Bartomeu in Montuïri is not a tourist spectacle but a deeply rooted village celebration. If you want to experience Mallorcan festival culture away from the coast, this is the place.
Practical tips
- Getting there: Montuïri lies on the Palma-Manacor road (Ma-15), about 30 minutes by car from Palma. Park on the edge of the village, the centre is closed off during the festival.
- Crowds: It gets tight around the Plaça Major and the church at dance times. If you want a good view of the Cossiers, secure a spot along the route early.
- Costs: The dances and processions are free; you pay for food and drinks at the stalls yourself.
- Best time: The entry of the Cossiers into the church on the morning of 24 August is the highlight. The exact times are published in the festival programme of the Ajuntament de Montuïri.