Six medieval festivals in Spain that you can't miss

Medieval festivals

The medieval festivals en Spain They are a product of the long history of our country. The centuries of the Middle Ages are part of its development until the present and, above all, some of its towns and cities already existed at that time with great strength.

It is therefore not surprising that these towns celebrate medieval festivals to commemorate their past. During these festivals, which sometimes last several days, there are markets, theatre and dance performances or gastronomic tastings that recreate the way these activities were carried out in the Middle Ages. Below, we are going to show you some of the main medieval festivals that take place in Spain.

Medina del Campo Renaissance Week

La Mota Castle

Mota Castle, in Medina del Campo

Although it bears this name, the week of Medina of the countryside It is as medieval as it is Renaissance. You must not forget that the Middle Ages gave way to the Renaissance and the traditions and ways of life were quite similar. In addition, the Castilian city was one of the most important in the Iberian Peninsula for its fairs and its role in the wool trade.

Medina Week is celebrated every August and features More than a hundred activities scheduled. Also, some four thousand extras give colour and medieval air to its streets. In this way, you can find actors who embody Isabel the Catholic, Carlos V o St. Teresa of Jesus.

In the impressive Plaza Mayor In the village there is a large medieval market with all kinds of products. There are also dramatised visits to the various monuments and parades through the streets. There is also no shortage of historical workshops and culinary competitions.

Musicians

Musicians dressed in medieval attire at a fair

However, the star of the events is the Imperial and Commoners Fair, which commemorates the uprising against the crown that gave rise to the War of the Communities of CastileMedina del Campo played a tragic role in this. The city was set on fire by the imperial forces, which led to towns that had until then remained neutral joining the rebellion.

On the other hand, there are few towns like Medina to celebrate medieval festivals in Spain. Its historic center is full of wonderful monuments from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Among them, the imposing Hispanic Plaza Mayor, but also the Collegiate Church of San Antolin, Royal Testamentary Palace and, above all, the great La Mota Castle.

Medieval Days of Avila

Medieval festivals in Ávila

Stalls in the medieval market of Ávila

Ávila is another of the perfect settings to celebrate medieval festivals in Spain. Not in vain, it is one of the cities with the most history in our country and its role in the Middle Ages was very prominent. In fact, it holds the names of «Avila del Rey» y «of the Loyal», awarded by Alfonso VII, and «of the Knights», given by Alfonso X.

But above all, the medieval monuments of the city make it the perfect setting for this type of event. Its buildings date back to that period. famous walls, which are among the best preserved in Spain. Also the savior cathedral and basilica of saint vincent were built in that period, specifically, in the 12th century. And we can tell you the same about monuments such as the churches of San Andrés or San Pedro and Palace of the Child King.

Therefore, the entire city of Ávila is a perfect setting for its medieval days, which take place at the beginning of September. The main streets of the historic centre are decorated in medieval style and the celebrations are held markets, tournaments, parades and shows of music, theatre and falconryThere are even medieval costume contests and archery demonstrations.

The conferences are held under the motto «The market of the three cultures», which refers to those that have participated in the history of the city: Jewish, Muslim and Christian. In short, they make up a unique event that has been declared National Tourist Interest.

Sigüenza, one of the best medieval festivals in Spain

House of the Maiden

House of the Doncel, in Sigüenza

The Medieval Days of Sigüenza (Guadalajara) are among the best that you can enjoy in Spain. They are organized by the Medieval Association of Seguntina and are celebrated at the beginning of July. This town also has a long history, as it was already the episcopal seat in Visigoth times. It even had its own university, founded by Juan Lopez de Medina with permission of the Cardinal Mendoza at the end of the 15th century.

For its impressive monuments, Sigüenza is Historic Artistic Set and also a perfect setting for medieval festivals. Among them, there are the Cathedral of Santa María, which combines the Cistercian Romanesque style with the Gothic; Churches of San Vicente or Santiago Apóstol; there House of the Maiden, a late Gothic palace, or the walled complex.

But the great symbol of Sigüenza is the castle or Alcazar of the Bishops of Sigüenza, today a tourist inn. It was built in the 12th century, although it has undergone subsequent renovations and extensions. The queen consort was confined there for four years. Doña Blanca de Bourbon, first wife of Peter I "the Cruel".

Fight between medieval knights

Recreation of a duel between two medieval knights

The Medieval Days of Sigüenza are celebrated at the beginning of July. During these days, historical figures such as those mentioned parade through its streets accompanied by ladies and gentlemen, dancers and jesters. Later, the assault on the castle is recreated by the troops loyal to Doña Blanca, a fictitious fact, but one that could have happened.

There is also a large medieval market with period music, shows with birds of prey, horseback riding tournaments and many other activities. There are even witches who often “cast a spell” on visitors.

Medieval Festival Villa de Alburquerque

Medieval festivals in Albuquerque

Jousting at the Medieval Festival Villa de Alburquerque

In this case, the medieval festival was born to revalue the moon castle, which dominates the town from a hill and is its great symbol. It is also proof of the importance of the town in the Middle Ages. Even one of its neighborhoods is within the fortified complex. It is called Villa Inside, which presents typical Gothic features and has been declared Historic Artistic SetIts main street runs between the gates of Valencia and Villa.

But there are also other monuments that contribute to the medieval setting of the Alburquerque Fair. This is the case of the Church of Santa Maria del Mercado, which is also located within the castle walls. Its construction dates back to the 13th century, although it has baroque elements added in the 18th century. It also houses the carving of the Christ of Amparo, a piece of great artistic value.

parade

Medieval parade

Later are other religious monuments of Alburquerque. church of San Mateo It is a 16th century Renaissance; the one San Francisco It dates from the 17th century and has a beautiful altarpiece in the Churrigueresque style, just like the altar of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Carrión; The Hermitage of Our Lady of Solitude It is baroque and the Convent of the Mother of God It has a magnificent cloister.

All this contributes to creating the perfect atmosphere for the medieval festivals of Alburquerque, held in the second half of August. Its festival has been declared of regional tourist interest and has numerous activities. Among them, parades, plays, markets and even recreations of covens and autos-da-fé.

La Coruña Fair of Wonders

Food tasting

Food tastings are very common at medieval festivals.

The medieval festivals of La Coruña take place at the end of July, coinciding with the date of St. James, patron saint of Galicia (July 25). It is celebrated in the old town, which has numerous monuments and vestiges from the Middle Ages.

Among the first, there are, precisely, the Church of Santiago and collegiate church of Santa María, both from the 12th century. Somewhat later is the San Anton castle and before the tower of Hercules, as it dates back to Roman times. As for the remains, parts of the ancient walls are preserved.

The Wonder Fair transforms the city center into a medieval village. A market with numerous craft and food stalls is set up, and there are theatre performances, acrobats and period music. There are even activities for children in the space called The Rogues' Corner, where you will find fun games and workshops.

Medieval market in Puebla de Sanabria

Craftsman

A craftsman working at a medieval festival

We finish our tour of medieval festivals in Spain by visiting the market of Puebla de Sanabria , which is celebrated every 15th of August. This town in Zamora was of enormous importance in the Middle Ages and, with this festival, its past is commemorated.

A good example of its medieval strength are monuments such as the castle of the counts of Benavente, dating back to the 15th century and the Romanesque church of Santa María del Azogue. But its entire old town boasts the recognition of Historic Artistic Set.

The medieval market is among the three best held in Spain. Acrobats, jesters, noblemen and other characters pass through its stalls. One of the highlights of the event is the recreation of the burning of a witch condemned by the Inquisition to the stake.

In conclusion, we have shown you some of the medieval festivals most important in Spain. But there are others like the The Alamo Fair, a Madrid (community with several villages with a medieval air), where even battles are recreated; Cordoba market, with its Arab souk, or the Medieval Ibiza Fair, which is known for its street performances. Come and enjoy all these celebrations.


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