Medieval Festa in Idanha-a-Velha
Last weekend we went to a Medieval Festa (festival) in the nearby historic village of Idanha-a-Velha. There are a network of villages throughout Central Portugal that have been designated as historic (Aldeias Históricas de Portugal). The twelve historic villages host annual festas to celebrate their rich history. Idanha-a-Velha’s event celebrated the life of their very own King Wamba. The legendary Visigothic king, who was born in 600AD when the village was a large city known as Egitania.
It was a wonderful festival, a great gathering which included workshops, dance, music, street events and a regional market. The local produce included delicious heather honey, cured meats of every description, cheese and fresh oven baked bread. The boys were fascinated to watch the bread being made and see the dough scraped up and baked in huge wood fired ovens. There were donkeys, Knights on horseback and of course and lots of events throughout the day. As with every good Portuguese festa there was of course also a huge stage and a very, very loud sound system ideal for blaring out Eurotrash music very, very late into the night.
Linked with #MySundayPhoto and photalife please do have a look at what other awesome bloggers and photographers have been up to this week.
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I love experiencing and hearing about festivals in other countries although I’m not a big fan of PA systems #mysundayphoto
Those are lovely photos, the fiesta sounds a great event
I am a huge fan of any kind of celebration that has a medieval influence of any kind. It sounds like you had lots of fun x #mysundayphoto
Tracey Abrahams recently posted…Painted Stones – My Sunday Photo – 29/10/17
Brilliant festival photos. I haven’t been to Portugal for many years. You make me want to return and who doesn’t love roasted chestnuts….yum! 😀
Lovely photos. I would love to travel around the world.
This looks and sounds like a wonderful event
Thank you for linking up
darren coleshill recently posted…#MySundayPhoto – Lighthouse
I could just eat those chestnuts. It looks like a fabulous festival! #sundayphoto
Emma Raphael recently posted…Sunday Photo – Catching Up…
How wonderful the Portuguese still celebrate and value such festivals. Looks like an amazing fiesta.
John Adams recently posted…HMS Belfast at night
Festivals are always so interesting and fun, specially if they are different from what you are used to. Lovely photos! #mysundayphoto
karen reekie recently posted…My Sunday Photo
This festival looks so interesting! #mysundayphoto
I love festivals celebrating older times. Would love to visit the villages some time.
Great fiestas, and historic villages. Check out; aldeias de historicas de portugal
I’m dying to experience a festival here in Portugal. We missed the Silves one this year because we were away in America. But I am definitely going to try catch it next year. This one looks great too!
There are so many, chestnut festival next
It looks like a wonderful event. I love the little details you’ve captured, it makes me feel like I was there! #MySundayPhoto
Tara recently posted…My Sunday Photo – October 29th, 2017.
Thanks Tara, what a lovely comment. It was a lively event
I love events like this. Looks like so much fun was had. Great photos! Looking forward to seeing tomorrow’s! #mysundayphoto
Martyn Kitney recently posted…Throwaway Thursdays #1
Thanks for the great comment, glad you like the photos. We look out for these local events, you just don’t know what to expect