Orihuela set for medieval mayhem and family fun

THE largest Medieval Market in Spain starts today in Orihuela, and continues through Sunday. Valiant Knights and beautiful Princesses will line the streets whilst craftsman perfected their tools and children learn the art of firing an arrow. It is quite surreal to see the city of Orihuela transformed into a fairytale world of horses and princesses, and that last year enticed more than 400,000 visitors.

Visitors can experience traditional artesan arts, crafts and metalwork, sample the food from the times and witness the customs associated with the Medieval era.

The market will be the venue for many attractions and spectacles, with a number of talented performers taking part in various theatre productions and clowns, puppeteers, jugglers, stilt walkers and trapeze artists will mingle amongst the crowds, displaying their skills.

The inauguration of the Medieval Market takes place on Friday February 4 at 12pm with the presentation of the story of ‘Origor’ which will take place in Plaza de Santiago.

This year, the traditional Medieval Orihuela procession will be headed by Vanesa Martinez, the 2010 ‘Armengola’ and Orihuela´s traditional fiestas representative.

The procession takes place on Saturday February 5 at 12pm and makes its way from the Plaza de la Catedral, through the Medieval Market to the Plaza del Salvador.

Following the procession, a re-enactment of the “Battle of the Last Cross” will take place.

On the morning of Sunday February 6, the ceremony to give thanks to Origor, the Warrior and Princess Lorena will take place in the area of Santo Domingo at 12pm.

Free bus

The town hall of Orihuela has laid on complimentary bus transport to the Medieval Market in Orihuela (Comercial Centre Ociopia) for the Saturday February 5.

Buses will depart from the Ayuntamiento, Playa Flamenca at 9.30am, 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 5.45pm; and return to Orihuela at 11.45am, 1.15pm, 4.45pm, 7pm and 9pm.