Festa de les Verges is one of Mallorca’s oldest celebrations, prominently featuring Saint Ursula, a British saint whose legend connects her to both Cornwall and Wales. Ursula is recognized for her tragic story in which she and her 11,000 handmaidens were martyred by the Huns after she spurned their leader’s advances. Her feast day is celebrated on October 21, commemorating the massacre in 383 AD.
While Ursula’s connections to Mallorca are not as strong as in Catalonia, the Festa de les Verges has become a significant local tradition, largely driven by folk culture rather than religious observance. The celebration occurs in autumn, serving as a precursor to what some call the Mallorcan “Halloween” and Dia de Tots Sants or All Saints’ Day on November 1. The bunyols de vent (doughnuts) are especially popular during this time, marking the beginning of the doughnut season on the eve of Saint Ursula’s feast, October 20.
Festivities will take place throughout the island, with bunyols available for purchase and distribution during the celebrations. The importance of virginity in local culture may have contributed to Ursula’s prominence in Mallorcan traditions, similar to the customs associated with Sant Jordi. Although traditional serenades by young men have diminished, folk musicians now perform in public squares, and bunyols remain a beloved treat in villages throughout the island.
