December 6 to 10 Huge Medieval Market in Caravaca de la Cruz

Over 200 stands and stalls in Caravaca at one of the largest medieval markets in Spain

Very few towns these days are without their own medieval market – indeed, it sometimes seems there must be more of these events than there were in the Middle Ages! – but the annual market in Caravaca de la Cruz stands head and shoulders above the others in the Region of Murcia in terms of spectacle, popularity and sheer size.

According to the Caravaca Councillor for Tourism, José Santiago Villa, the Caravaca medieval market is among the most important of its kind in the whole of Spain, and this year it lasts for 5 days and features stands and stalls manned by over 200 artisans and 20 entertainment groups. So large is the market that it occupies a large part of the old city centre, reflecting the importance of Caravaca in the Middle Ages in commercial, spiritual and military terms.

Among the attractions, apart from the artisan stalls, are a children’s medieval fair, an archery camp and Museums devoted to witches and torture, as well as plenty of food and drink stands as the city of Caravaca recreates its glorious medieval past. Some of the street entertainers involve magical creatures, the capture of the dragon with Galeoc, jesters and japesters and many others, and all of them can be seen in the opening parade on Wednesday December 6 (a national holiday on the Day of the Constitution) at 12.30.

The children’s fair is located in Plaza San Juan de la Cruz, the archery camp in the Paseo de Santa Clara, a falconry display in Calle Rafael Tejeo and the Witches and Torture museums in the cloisters of the Jesuits.

Throughout the fair the local tourist office will be fully staffed with extended opening hours as a huge influx of visitors is expected, and great efforts are being made to promote the event both in Murcia and in neighbouring provinces.

Opening hours at the 19^th annual Medieval Market in Caravaca from December 6 to 10 are from 10.30 to 14.00 and from 16.00 to 21.30, while the food and drink stands remain open at lunchtime and throughout the day.

The full daily program is far too lengthy to reproduce here but can be found in Spanish online here, with daily highlights including the archery camp, street theatre, falconry, reptile and parrot exhibitions, arts and drafts workshops and demonstrations, the witches’ and torture museums, children’s games, music, stilt walkers and numerous other attractions.

For more local events, news and visiting information go to the Caravaca de la Cruz section of Murcia Today.