The Medieval Journey through the
Lands of Santa Maria
A complete and genuine class of living history, where visitors can be part of the great moments. Annually, Santa Maria da Feira is dressed up and the whole city is transformed to receive the event in a true environment of the Middle Ages.
By Jorge Toth
In a space of about 33 hectares, magic happens already in the streets and in several other parts of the city, such as the fair's castle. In addition to medieval activities and recreations, the food menu is also a trip to the past. This year is centered on the fickle D. Fernando IO, who in a time of great social and economic transformations in the western world, as a result of the feared Black Death that occurred about two decades ago, ascends the throne in 1367, El rei D. Fernando, the Belo, entitled King of Portugal and the Algarve.
The historic center of the city changes its look to assume a medieval atmosphere. The facades of the buildings are disguised with an older touch. Local workers appear in typical dress. But the castle is a main part of the show, in fact, it is the best place. In or around it, we find actors dressed as knights, soldiers, bishops, slaves, kings, queens, criminals, artists, sorcerers. Visitors are encouraged to wear medieval-style costumes. Who can rent or buy one right at the entrance. Participate in the royal banquet, with the presence of the king and queen and other people of the highest nobility (actors, of course), buying a ticket for the event.
Bars and restaurants replace modern tables and seats with pieces appropriate for the time, sometimes made of straw and serve drinks in clay mugs. Credit or debit cards give way to money used to pay bills, which can be a currency created especially for the event.
Various activities and shows are held around the party space. Battles with knights, invasions to the castle, horse races, dance numbers, etc. They are impressive, fascinating. To make our jaw drop. The 2019 edition included more than 170 and there are four major productions featured daily. In the terreiro of the forest of Guimbras, next to the river, the call is staged, on the call to war against Castile, the next event was The flower of the kingdom , on the relationship of D. Fernando with D. Leonor Teles de Menezes, and ending with Lides Fernandinas , on the king's diplomatic efforts to avoid war.
In addition to these productions, which involve pyrotechnic effects and even involve 100 actors and extras at the same time, at Castelo da Feira there was also the most fantastical plot of O dorado dragon every day.
Paulo Sérgio Pais, director-general of recreation organized by Câmara da Feira, Feira Viva municipal company and Federation of Culture and Recreation Collectives of Feira, stressed that “more than 80% of the content created exclusively for Medieval Travel is presented by associations county ”.
