This weekend saw San Miguel de Salinas host its first ever Medieval Market in the Plaza del Pozo de Enmedio. The market, which ran from Friday evening until Sunday, wound its way around the square and surrounding streets in a strawstrewn trail of arts and crafts, which attracted hundreds of visitors.
The stalls had a traditional feel to them and offered a wide range of goods from herbal teas, hand-made candles, organic face creams, dried fruits to jewellery and hair accessories. These were complimented by the more medieval skills of a blacksmith and a tarot reader. Costumed grooms led children around the market on Shetland ponies and there was even a magician who entertained the crowd with demonstrations of skills. For those who wanted to test their own powers there was a stall selling brain teasers and a puzzle corner where visitors can pit their wits and assemble the given picture out of random wooden pieces.
Of course, no market in Spain would be complete without copious amounts of food and drinks, and the Medieval market was no exception. In addition to the usual beer, wine and chips, the market offered a tempting selection of home made produce such as bread, cakes, savoury snacks, sweets and a very more-ish concoction of caramel coated nuts and oats.
There was a true international atmosphere as all nationalities converged on the market and once the tour of the market had been completed it was the local bars, cafes and restaurants that reaped the benefit of the crowds.