Free Trade Fair
Come to the Middle Ages with Feira Franca
Pontevedra celebrates its festival of Galician Tourist Interest
The second weekend of September the city of Pontevedra takes a trip back in time to medieval times with the celebration of the Feira Franca, declared of Tourist Interest in Galicia in 2013, and one of the most important festivals of the Rías Baixas. This celebration commemorates an event that took place in 1467, when King Henry IV granted the citizens the privilege of being able to hold a tax-free market for a month.
The town of Pontevedra is fully immersed in the Middle Ages during two days of festivities in which master craftsmen, blacksmiths, carpenters, redeiras, palilleiras or musicians walk through the most emblematic streets and squares of the town on the River Lérez. This celebration, for which citizens and visitors prepare their costumes and organise medieval banquets, presents a programme with all kinds of activities.
The streets of the city offer various representations, such as the transport of wine, recreations of trades, exhibitions of hunting disciplines, sports or dances, a whole range of possibilities that also includes children's activities with medieval games, legends or the most traditional attractions.
Medieval tournament, wine transport re-enactment and much more.
The Feira Franca presents multiple recreational activities steeped in history, ranging from the re-enactment of the wine transport or the medieval tournament, to shows in Montero Ríos of falconry, archery, exhibitions of medieval music, also with parades, and dance or fencing. The latter, with exhibitions in other squares such as La Ferrería or La Verdura. Thousands of people come to this celebration dressed in period costume and take part in this medieval spectacle, taking centre stage in the streets and squares decorated with banners, shields and other motifs.
The wine transport is one of the main attractions, a recreation that goes through the streets of Santa Clara, Sarmiento, Pasantería, and finally the squares of La Ferrería and La Peregrina. Another of the most outstanding events is the Medieval Tournament, which brings together both children and adults, a show that is tailor-made for the whole family and perfect for enjoying with friends.
Children's activities and local medieval commerce
Fun for the little ones is guaranteed, as all kinds of children's activities are held in different parts of the town. Medieval legends fill the streets of the centre with magic and in the praza de España there will be medieval attractions throughout the day and a medieval camp.
Trade invades the streets of the city with food markets, in the Alameda, in the arcades of the praza da Ferrería, in Pasantería and the praza de Curros Enríquez, and the craft market in the avenue of Santa María. The demonstration of medieval trades and workshops takes place in the praza da Ferrería and the praza Peirao, where passers-by learn about different professions such as linen weavers, palilleiras, redeiras, carpenters, blacksmiths, stonemasons and leather tanners, among other disciplines.
