Canamunt and Canavall: Palma’s historic water battle

On 3 September, Palma will turn into a huge water arena when two rival teams, known as “Canamunt and Canavall”, bring soaking action with their water cannons. It will be wild, funny and joyfully wet in Palma as Yellow takes on Red. This year, Parc de la Mar, at the foot of the cathedral in Palma, and Plaza Juan Carlos I are the stage for this historically inspired spectacle, which recalls the epic conflicts that played out at the end of the 16th century between these two noble factions in Palma de Mallorca and across the entire island.

This unique water battle dates back to the centuries-old conflict between the rival neighbourhoods of Canamunt and Canavall. Party-loving, water-ready participants are divided into two groups and fight each other with a variety of water projectiles.

In a true spectacle, participants split into two groups: the Yellows represent Canamunt, while the Reds proudly represent Canavall. Armed with water pistols, they throw themselves into the fight laughing and shrieking.

You have to choose your side in advance. The Reds meet at 16:00 on Plaça Sant Jeroni, while the Yellows gather at the same time on Plaça Drassanes. After a proper warm-up and brimming with anticipation, both groups head towards Plaça Joan Carles I, where the battle is ignited at 17:00. The wet spectacle doesn’t end until the water runs out or the clock strikes 20:00.

For the youngest participants there is a “Batalleta infantil” – a safe area where they can let off steam under supervision.

The event was launched years ago by the organisation Orgull Llonguet to strengthen the sense of community among Palma’s younger residents. After all, Palma is a place of meeting, celebration and festivity. In that spirit: into battle!”

Due to the risk of drought, Palma City Council is stopping the flow of water at various water festivals, including the water battles of Canamunt and Canavall. Organisers must either cancel or arrange private water deliveries in order to keep the festivities going. The organisers emphasise that they will continue with the festival.

Every year, the city council has generously supplied 18,000 litres of water for the epic civic water battle, which has been celebrated in Palma since 2016 and has now developed into one of the city’s hottest events.

This year, however, due to the risk of drought, the city council has decided to turn off the tap for this spectacular event. The organisers, however, are determined to carry on the party under their own steam.

Participants in the big water battle can buy their T-shirts (in pink or yellow) for 10 euros at the “Melicotó” boutique on Blanquerna Street.

The Canamunt and Canavall water battle 2023 is one of the most anticipated summer events in Palma. Participants show up with water pistols in the colours of the two factions. Preparation for the water battle begins on Sunday at 16:00 with the gathering of the Canamunt and Canavall gangs in their usual places (Sant Jeroni and Plaza Drassana). A band and drummers accompany the gangs to the actual battle in Parc de la Mar, which begins at 17:00.

The programme of the Canamunt and Canavall festivities 2023 includes hanging coats of arms on Friday at 19:30 in Cort. Likewise, the gangs’ communal meal, which takes place from 20:30 in Ses Voltes. Finally, on Monday, 4 September, the burial of “en Berga” takes place on Sant Pere Nolasc street, marking the end of the celebrations. Participants wear black and hold a candle. The gathering takes place at numbers 11-13, the place where Judge Berga was murdered. This event symbolises the end of the festival, peace and a truce.

The story of this water battle of Canamunt and Canavall recalls the clashes between the two noble factions that took place in Palma and on Mallorca at the end of the 16th century: Canamunt and Canavall.

The causes of this conflict are multifaceted and go back to the noble disputes on Mallorca in previous centuries. Key factors included the nobility’s attempt to control political and economic power on Mallorca after the Germanías civil wars, protracted disputes among the nobles, and the race for titles of nobility that were considered equivalent to the Spanish nobility.

Originally, the conflict began between urban noble groups, but it expanded to include other outside groups seeking protection and support from the powerful noble factions. In addition, the nobles organised private groups to pursue their aims, and outside bandit gangs were also active within them. These noble groups operated mainly in the city, but they also sent bandits to carry out acts of revenge and provided logistical support to other friendly gang movements across Mallorca.