Feira Franca, a medieval festival in Pontevedra, Spain
4 – 5 September 2020
Basic Info
When: 4 – 5 September 2020
Where: Pontevedra in Spain
Website: Visit Pontevedra – Feira Franca
Hotels; Hotels in Pontevedra
Feria Franca Festival
On the first Saturday in September every year, time is turned back for over 500 years in Pontevedra during the medieval festival Feira Franca.
Music and Entertainments
The modern day version of Feira Franca is a colorful affair in which locals and visitors alike compete in dressing up as medieval citizens or donning local costumes.
Meandering around the squares and streets and enjoying the many exhibits and spectacles which take place during the weekend.
Food is of great importance and apart from sampling specialties at the many stalls, you can participate in a medieval feast, bibs and all.
Arts and crafts are another highlight with demonstrations of how things were made in the Middle Ages.
Bagpipe players, the Gaita is the national music instrument of Galicia, and can be found at many street corner as well as dance groups and other musicians.
The crowning glory, is a medieval tournament with jostling knights, performed at the Plaza de Toros (bull ring) from around 5.30 pm on Saturday evening.
History of Feira Franca
Feira Franca dates back to the year 1467 when King Henry IV bestowed upon Pontevedra the right to hold a tax free open market for one month, from the last two weeks of August to the first two weeks of September.
Tax free trade for a whole month was certainly a strong reason for the wealthy merchants of the time to celebrate which they did with a huge festival, beginning Friday morning and ending on Saturday night.
Places to stay and hotel tips
Not too many hotels in Pontevedra, but if you book well in advance you may find some rooms available for the festival.
Stay in a historic palace
A tips is Parador de Pontevedra a good and popular hotel in an old palace from around year 1500, located in the historic center of Pontevedra.
Classically decorated in true Parador style with an elegant restaurant serving delicious, regional cuisine.
At same time it suits well into the medieval theme during the Feira Franca festival
Also a short walk to the famous St. Maria Basilica and other historical buildings.
More about Pontevedra
Pontevedra is located in Galicia, Spain´s northwestern province, in a valley where the rivers Lerez and Tomeza runs into the Atlantic Ocean.
It was once Galicia´s most populated commercial center and biggest port.
Sedimentation and silting have rendered the port unsuitable for commercial use and the city´s wealth diminished with the loss of its status as a hub of trade.
It is the second biggest old town in all of Galicia.
Much of it is today a pedestrian zone where you can easily walk around and admire churches, palaces and other old buildings.
Pontevedra had its Golden Age in the Middle Ages until the end of the 16th century.
Narrow, cobbled streets and picturesque squares like the Old Woodfire Market Place form the ideal background for a festival like Feira Franca
More from Spain
Bilbao BBK Live Music Festival, 8 – 10 July 2021 (Cancelled)
Pop, Rock and Multi-Genre Music at Bilbao BBK Live - spectacular venue - exceptional atmosphere - great performers - every year in July.
Mad Cool Multi Genre Music Festival, Madrid. 6 – 9 July 2022
Mad Cool Festival, Madrid, will come back in 2022. A great lineup and 80,000 people will ensure an amazing music festival weekend.
Vijazz, Vilafranca del Penedès, Spain, 2 – 4 July 2021
Vijazz is a Jazz fest with Food, Wine and Cava - The jazz is perfectly complemented by opportunities to sample up to 300 wines and cavas.
Blanes Fireworks Festival, Spain. July 2021 Cancelled
The international fireworks competition - "El Focs de Blanes" or "Concurs Internacional de Focs" in Blanes, Costa Brava, Spain.
Arde Lucus – Roman revival Festival in Lugo, Spain. 17 – 20 June 2021
During Arde Lucus, you can enjoy banquets, artisan markets, Celtic weddings, Roman circuses, battles, music, dance, parades and much more.
Semana Grande – Great Week San Sebastian, Spain, 14 – 21 August 2021
San Sebastian Great Week marks the Virgin’s Day, August 15. A big celebration with an International Fireworks Competition.
Consuegra Medieval Festival, in Consuegra Spain. A weekend in August.
Consuegra Medieval Festival is a time warp of dramatized performances. Every year a weekend in the middle of August.
San Sebastian Jazz Festival – 21 – 25 July 2021
San Sebastian Jazz Festival is a world-famous International Jazz Festival. Enjoy and alternate between jazz and pintxos tours in the city.
La Tomatina Buñol, Spain. 25 August 2021
La Tomatina is a food fight festival held on the last Wednesday of August each year in Bunol near Valencia in Spain.
Sitges Carnival, Spain. 24 February – 2 March 2022
Every year, just before the commencement of Lent, the Barcelona-adjacent seaside resort of Sitges goes absolutely crazy with its carnival !!
Seville, Spain – Rich Culture, Flamenco, festivals and a vivid nightlife
Visit this exciting city, Seville, the capital of Andalusia. Flamenco shows, Festivals, Rich Culture and History.
Les Fogueres de Sant Joan in Alicante. 20 – 24 June 2021 Cancelled
Les Fogueres de Sant Joan in Alicante; Bonfires, fireworks, music, parades and people partying all night make you want to join the fun
Translate (Google translated – English is the default language)
