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The XXVI Mercado Medieval de Orihuela
The XXVI Mercado Mediaeval de Orihuela is one of Spain’s largest and most prestigious mediaeval festivals, with the 2026 edition expected to be no exception.
Stalls are usually open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and again from 4:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (though food taverns frequently stay open throughout
Location and Layout:
The market spans nearly 5 km of the city’s historic centre with over 300 artisan stalls. It’s organised into three thematic areas.
- Christian Zone – Situated between Plaza del Carmen and Calle Colón. It includes military camps, soldier reenactments, and knightly tournaments.
- Leisure and Children’s Zone – Stretching from Calle Mayor to Plaza de Santa Lucía. This area is geared towards families and features a “Dragon Village” with traditional wooden games, puppet shows and a petting farm.
- Arab Zone – Runs from Plaza Santa Lucia to Santo Domingo. This sector showcases traditional soul, belly dancing, Middle Eastern music, and camel parades.
Key Activities and Entertainment:
Tournaments – Grand Knightly Tournaments are held in the Rincon Hernandiano
Shows – On Friday and Saturday nights, Plaza Villamanuel hosts high-impact street theatre performances featuring fire breathers, jugglers, stilt walkers, and concernts.
Craft workshops feature live demonstrations of ancient trades such as blacksmithing, pottery, stone carving, and falconry displays.
Gastronomy: Numerous mediaeval taverns serving roasted meats, traditional breads, cheeses, and artisanal sweets.
Recommendation: Due to the event’s massive scale, which attracts over thousands of visitors, it is strongly advised to wear comfortable walking shoes and take the official shuttle buses to avoid significant parking difficulties in the city centre.