Medieval Week
- When: 16th – 22nd July 2018
- Where: Estella-Lizarra, Spain
- Website: turismo.navarra.es
In mid-July you can’t miss the Medieval Week of Estella-Lizarra, one of the most spectacular popular festivals in Spain that takes visitors back in time to the Middle Ages.
During the week-long activities from 16th – 22nd July, many exciting activities are organised for all the family, although that’s not even the best part. The real fun comes when the city decks out its streets to create a period atmosphere and everybody wears mediaeval costumes to get into the party spirit.
Estella-Lizarra, ancient and atmospheric Spanish city
Estella-Lizarra is located between Pamplona and Logroño and is a very special city that emerged as a stopping point on the pilgrimage of the St. James Way, also known as the Camino de Santiago. The city was founded in 1090 and today boasts Romanesque features in its convents, bridges, palaces and stately homes, creating a visually stunning architectural experience.
There is a lot of commercial and cultural activity and part of its charm comes from its rich and varied gastronomy. Also, the Gustavo de Maeztu Museum of art is usually one of the most important stops for tourists. It is located inside the palace of the Kings of Navarra, between the streets of San Nicolás and the Plaza de San Martín.
Don't miss its civil architecture, with the Azucarero bridge, the prison bridge, the courthouse and the medieval gateway of Castile all being highlights. Then there are the religious buildings, such as the church of San Miguel and the church of San Pedro de la Rúa, which are well worth a visit. You can also just wander through its pretty, old streets and discover its mansions and palaces like the Casa Fray Diego or the Luquin palace.
Back to the Middle Ages with the Medieval Week of Estella-Lizarra
The people of Estella take their preparation for the medieval party very seriously, dressing up themselves and their city with the intention of genuinely returning to the Middle Ages. In addition, over the course of the weekend there is a beautiful artisan market and craft fair which aims to show us what the trades of the past were like through handcrafted products made of wood, glass and leather.
These festivities begin with an opening speech, which is followed by a very popular programme of events: medieval fights, open-air theatrical performances, traditional dinners, concerts, tastings of food from the period, markets, and loads more.
It’s not all fun and games in Estella, though – during the week there are lectures and conferences that put great emphasis on Mediaeval Studies. The idea is to learn and put yourself in the shoes of our ancestors to enjoy these special holidays to the fullest.
The celebration has a commercial, touristic and cultural interest, with multitudes of visitors flocking to the small town in Navarra every year in July. The vast majority of them are curious to know how people lived in the Middle Ages, bringing their costumes with them or renting them there, and along the way they discover the wonders of a charming town with a lot of history.
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