Medieval Markets in Spain

What is a Medieval Market?

If you want to travel back in time, Medieval markets are the place for you. Like most Spanish celebrations, these festivals combine history, culture and celebration. Medieval markets are held in many Spanish towns and villages to honor and celebrate life during medieval times. Medieval markets in Spain are typicall held during the summer months. The local people attempt to recreate the atmosphere, festivities, and delicacies that were popular during the Middle Ages. The streets are alive with vendors at the craft and food markets. There are live puppeteers, street performers, and petting zoos or animal rides for the children. Additionally, most medieval markets in Spain come complete with battle reenactments and character portrayals. 

It only makes sense that medieval markets are usually held in towns with a direct relation to medieval times. When this is the case, the alcazars, fortresses, and castles often play a large role in the festivities. They are used as the sites for the battle reenactments or the markets themselves. 

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The Craft and Food Markets

Perhaps the most important part of the medieval markets in Spain are the craft and food markets. Some medieval markets are small with a few local craftsmen and bakers while others can have 300 or more stalls. There is always a great selection of homemade food and hand crafted products for sale.

The streets are elaborately decorated with banners, and stalls line the aisles selling popular snacks and beverages from then (and now, to satisfy the less adventurous). Sausage, cheese, wine, honey, cakes, breads, and spices are among the most popular medieval fare. My favorite part: Plenty of samples to go around. My best advice, try everything. The Manchego sheep cheese is always amazing.

There are also loads of items you can’t eat…but I didn’t take very many photos of those. Although they do hand out soap samples… Don’t bite them,  unfortunately these are only to smell. Handmade soap, artisanal candles, dream catchers, metal and stone jewelry, ceramics, leather goods, and carved trinkets are abundant. Many of the stalls are run by local individuals dressed in medieval attire hard at work behind their displays. Amid the stalls there is plenty of entertainment for all ages. Musicians, belly dancers, and puppeteers mingle amongst the crowds. Tarot card and palm readers set up private chambers between the vendors, and of course, ponies, sheep, hogs, and even camels are known to make an appearance in the petting zoo.

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Where can you find the best medieval markets in Spain?

The largest medieval festival in Spain usually takes place the first week of February in Orihuela. Orihuela is a small town about an hour away from Alicante in the Valencia region of Spain. This medieval market boasts over 350 stalls. For the most up to date locations and information on everything about Medieval markets in Spain, check out this site. 

All photos were taken in Estella, Navarra, Spain and Totana, Murcia, Spain.

Have you attended a medieval market before? What was your favorite part?