A medieval bacchanal in Galicia
Well, since you bring up the subject of the bacchanals in little gaul I will tell you about one that says goodbye to august , as epic deeds and historic summers say goodbye. big time
While the other part of the world scorches in the sun, leaving days that are lazier than peeling fruit, in Ribadavia, Ourense, a historic festival is celebrated : " **a Festa da Historia ** ". Imagine hundreds of people dressed as if they were in the Middle Ages in the middle of a neighborhood from the 10th century, visiting the market stalls with their artisans, drinking from ceramic glasses, eating Jewish sweets and paying their dues in maravedíes . There is even a wedding. How can I tell you?
The Plaza Mayor of Ribadavia is dressed in medieval banners
We already know that the Galicians Octopus is worth us as a pet , and any excuse is good to throw it, but this party is on another level. A few tips: finding everything a collapsed neighborhood of ladies, gentlemen, peasants and shopkeepers it's true. Not counting the locals who go in disguise, the body of volunteers who work very hard to make everything work exceeds half a thousand -for a population of five thousand inhabitants there are many people who participate-, and some of the activities that are celebrated these two days - August 30 and 31 - they are only accessible if you are dressed in period clothing like the Gran parade da Istoria.
Come on, dressing up as an archer or a humble peasant with four cloths to walk around the house is easy. Tip: buy a simple costume, pimp it and to war.
We didn't invent the maravedís either. It is the only accepted currency and you have to exchange it at the Bench of the Alhóndiga, in the Plaza Mayor , or in the small branches that are scattered around the neighborhood.
As an extra ball we recommend you to catch a ceramic jug and take it with you everywhere . Most locals will refuse to serve you what they consume in plastic cups, out of respect for history, since we cannot imagine a medieval warrior with a taper (the taper: the invention of the century and not the internet that) and as you are like a server, who goes crazy buying things, you can end up with many ceramic jugs, and the arms are not enough.
These parties already have their place in history. Similar celebrations were held back in the seventeenth century and continued to be made until the mid-nineteenth , which were abandoned. It was at the end of the last century, more than three decades ago, when it was recovered and given shape.
Although Friday starts strong, saturday is the big day , with recreations, acts and events everywhere. Since Peasant fights in a camp with mercenaries in the Alameda until fencing exhibitions in the castle of the Sarmiento . A period dance, falconry, a human chess and a Sephardic wedding . And a medieval Tournament, Y music concerts. And if you want to go to the medieval Xantar -a huge and gargantuan papatoria- remember that you have to book in advance.
I have nothing left, right? Dances and contests and exhibitions and tournaments. What has been said, even to shout the everlasting long live the boyfriends of a lifetime.
But we are going to put ourselves in the worst of the possible scenarios and that those two days you cannot go -badly, very badly, hala, to the thinking corner-. We may never forgive you like Íñigo Montoya, but Ribadavia is worth it all year round.
A VISIT TO RIBADAVIA FOR ANY TIME OF THE YEAR
Ribadavia is in the wine zone -we are in the Ribeiro domain- and the whole valley is full of small wineries in which to try it at a very affordable price, as well as winery routes for those who want to try everything in one afternoon.
Vineyards in the Ribadavia valley
The Jewish quarter is also true . From the 12th century it preserves part of the original layout and its narrow streets.
There are confectioneries that make very tasty Jewish sweets. Another of its secrets -and one of my best memories- is to repeat: the O Papuxa tavern . This tavern is from a bygone world that still stands the test of time . Here you arrive, ask for some cuncas and serve yourself. When you leave you say how many you have taken, you pay and you go . And that's it.
In O Papuxa there are legends and stories in every stone of the house. There is even an interior terrace where the planet stops for a while to envy you. There is even a small tunnel . It is said that the Jews, expelled very badly by the Catholic Monarchs, escaped through it until they found the river.
This is Galicia
To escape the madding crowd there are also two other small hideouts. ten minutes away Prexigueiro , a small town that has some outdoor hot springs they are for eternity. Hot water, the sound of nature, the river Cerves that passes by and silence.
The other hiding place is for the brave. The Melon pools They are less than twenty minutes away and they are small pools made naturally in the bed of a river. The Estrela pool it has a small concrete wall to make it deeper, but the Pozas das Mestas have not been touched by humans, and the views are impressive. Unlike the hot springs, Here the water reaches subarctic temperatures. You are warned.
As a sign of chaos and order, of the maelstrom and silence, if you want to be in absolute tranquility as much as enjoy the madness in the midst of barbarism and the trench where everything is absolutely green, so green that there are ranges that pantone has yet to catalog, this is your place, this is your place.
Even the ladies of Ribadavia will go to the Festa da Istoria