Pontevedra Feira Franca Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Feira Franca de Pontevedra
Pontevedra during the 2016 Feira Franca
Observed by	Pontevedra, Spain
Observances	equestrian jousting, street entertainment, theatre, leather, wood and textile crafts, falconry shows, traditional river boats, wine transport, juggling
Date	first Friday and Saturday in September
Frequency	annual

The Feira Franca is a super fun medieval festival! It happens every year in Pontevedra, a city in Spain. This exciting event takes place on the first Friday afternoon and Saturday of September. It's like stepping back in time to the Middle Ages.

At the festival, you can find a medieval market and even a chivalry tournament. There are amazing falconry shows with trained birds. You can also enjoy tasty food stalls, street performers, and juggling. Music fills the air, and there are workshops where you can see crafts being made. People create things from leather, wood, and textiles.

In 2013, the government of Galicia officially recognized it. They called it a festival of tourist interest. Today, about 100,000 people come to the Feira Franca. Many of them dress up in cool medieval costumes to join the fun!

Where the Feira Franca Happens
A Look at the Feira Franca's History
What Happens at the Feira Franca
Gallery
See also
- Related Articles

Where the Feira Franca Happens

The Feira Franca de Pontevedra takes over many parts of the city. It happens in the historic center. You can find activities in the Alameda de Pontevedra and the Gran Vía de Montero Ríos. The Palm Trees Park and Queen Victoria Avenue are also part of the fun. Even the Pontevedra Bullring is used for some events. The area around the Burgo Bridge and the Lérez River also joins in.

A Look at the Feira Franca's History

The Feira Franca started a long time ago. It began as a special market where people didn't have to pay taxes. This was allowed by King Henry IV in 1467. The original festival lasted a whole month around August 24th. It was held to honor Saint Bartholomew. In these old medieval Fairs, people from all parts of society would meet.

The modern Feira Franca started in the year 2000. Since then, lots of visitors have come to enjoy it. People love to wear medieval-style clothes. The old city center completely changes its look for the festival. Locals and visitors are encouraged to join in. You might see carts pulled by horses in the streets. You could even spot "prisoners" on the gallows or busy Blacksmiths. All sorts of medieval characters bring the past to life.

For many years, each Feira Franca has had a special theme.

In 2006, it was about the Irmandiños.
In 2007, the theme was the sea.
In 2008, it focused on farming.
The tenth festival in 2009 was called Love, Mockery and Curses. This honored old medieval songs in the Galician language.
In 2010, the theme was walkers.
In 2011, it was about old-time trade.
In 2012, popular games were featured.
In 2013, it was dedicated to Inventions.
In 2014, it explored astronomy.
In 2015, the theme was alchemy.
In 2016, it celebrated music.
In 2017, it featured medieval bestiaries (books about mythical creatures).
In 2018, it focused on legends.
In 2019 and 2022, the Feira Franca highlighted the Lérez River.
In 2023, it was all about numbers.

What Happens at the Feira Franca

People You'll See

People from Pontevedra and visitors come together for the festival. They dress up as characters from 1467. You can see ladies and knights, and even bishops from the church. Peasants are also there, showing different social classes. Many people act as craftsmen, like minstrels and musicians. You might spot merchants, fishing net weavers, and potters. There are also coopers, basket makers, blacksmiths, carpenters, and lace weavers.

Fun Activities to Enjoy

The festival has many historical and fun activities. They bring back the medieval feeling of the city. Pontevedra was a very important city in Galicia in the 1400s.

The festival starts on Friday afternoon. Town criers on horseback announce the opening. They ride through the historic center. After that, jesters, jugglers, and troubadours parade through the streets. A very important activity is the wine transport show. This shows how wine used to arrive in the city. The wine came from the Ribeiro area. From Pontevedra's medieval port, it was shipped all over.

Other activities include exciting medieval tournaments. There are jousting events in the bullring. You can also see falconry shows and archery displays. Fencing demonstrations are also popular. Traditional music and dance performances add to the atmosphere. You can watch medieval crafts being made. There are games and shows for everyone. You can taste medieval food at street stalls. Many groups of people eat together at large tables set up in the streets. These tables are in different parts of the historic center. They are also in the Alameda de Pontevedra. You can also see traditional boats between the Burgo Bridge and the Currents Bridge.

How the City is Decorated

The streets and squares are beautifully decorated. You'll see banners, flags, and coats of arms hanging everywhere. Long pieces of cloth are draped over the streets. Straw bales and other props make it feel like medieval times. There's even a medieval castle! Some of the old city wall gates are rebuilt. They are made from papier-mâché. These include the Alhóndiga or Santo Domingo gate. The Santa Clara or Rocheforte gate and the Trabancas gate are also recreated.