The town of Hita, in Guadalajara, is an ideal destination for an bucolic getaway less than 100 kilometers from Madrid at any time of the year. However, with the advent of the summer a visit to this town is practically essential on the occasion of the great medieval festival that transforms it into an authentic medieval village with a market, theater, battles and a wide program of activities.
This year the medieval festival -the oldest of its kind in Spain and declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest in 1980- celebrates its 62nd edition from July 5 to 7. This event, due to its proximity to the capital (a little more than 90 kilometers from Madrid center), is a leisure option for both adults and children smaller.
Among the most outstanding activities of the great medieval festival of Hita are the representations of the Archpriest’s Book of Good Love, the knightly combats, the “botargas” that go through the streets with cowbells and truncheons, the medieval market, the gastronomy tastings and the performance of the Dance of Death.
Program of the Medieval Festival of Hita
Friday, July 5th
- I Medieval Meeting “Archpriest of Hita”. A multidisciplinary approach. Literary, historical, artistic and cultural event, focused on the study and dissemination of the work The Book of Good Love, Hita and its Archpriest. Organized by the Arcipreste de Hita Chair of the University of Alcalá.
- 20:30h. Inauguration of the market, in Puerta de Caballos street. Ali Kaskabel and Crispín d’Olot welcome.
- 21h. Traditional food in the restaurants of the town and in the taverns of the Plaza Doña Endrina and the courtyard of the House-Museum of the Archpriest (San Pedro Street).
- 22h. The botargas dance to the sound of their cowbells. Plaza del Arcipreste.
- 22:30h. Trotaconventos: fire performance by Crispín d’Olot and Ali Kaskabel. Plaza del Arcipreste.
Saturday, July 6th
We highlight some of the day’s activities:
- 11h. Souk merchants open their stalls in Puerta de Caballos street.
- 12h. Wedding of Don Melón and Doña Endrina in the Plaza del Arcipreste. Tribute to the Archpriest of Hita with the representation based on the characters of the Book of Good Love and starring neighbors of the Villa.
- From 15h to 17h. To eat and rest. Traditional food in the taverns and restaurants of the village and in the courtyard of the House-Museum of the Archpriest. San Pedro Street.
- 19h. Show in the Plaza del Arcipreste. Parade to the Palenque of knights and maidens, botargas and giants and the brotherhoods of Don Carnal and Doña Cuaresma to the music of Barzonia, Asociación Cultural Kalaberas, Mermiconion and La Juglaresca.
- 19:30h. Combat of Don Carnal and Doña Cuaresma in the Palenque. Tribute to the Archpriest of Hita with the representation based on the Book of Good Love and starring neighbors of the Villa.
- Afterwards , medieval tournament in the Palenque. Exercises and chivalrous games: stafermo, rings and venablos, by Legend Especialistas.
- 22h. Theater in the ruins of St. Peter’s Church. Representation of Las cuitas del buen amor. Starring and directed by Manuel Galiana. Tuesday Theater Company.
- 22:15h. Dance of death in the Plaza del Arcipreste. Choreography by the Complutense Group of Spanish Dance.
- 23:59h. Medieval wrestling and night show The three destinations at the Palenque. Jousting on foot and on horseback by Legend Especialistas.
- 1:15h. Medieval concert in the Plaza del Arcipreste. Mermicolion Group.
Tickets and other activities
For the medieval fights and shows it is necessary to buy a ticket (it costs between 5€ and 10€ and is free for children under 6 years old). Also for theatrical performances, with prices ranging from €15 to €18. All the information can be found at this website.
Throughout the day, there will also be an exhibition of birds of prey by Lía Corax and free visits to the House-Museum of the Archpriest and to the Church of San Juan Bautista or to the Church of San Juan Bautista (the schedules can be consulted at this link).
Sunday, July 7th
- 11h. Artisans offer their wares in Puerta de Caballos Street.
- 11h. Dulzaineros in the Plaza del Arcipreste. Kalaberas Cultural Association.
- 11:30h. Falconry exhibition in the Plaza del Arcipreste. Lia Corax.
- 12h. Family show El hechicero at the Plaza del Arcipreste.
- 13:30h. Closing of the I Medieval Meeting Arcipreste de Hita. Dance exhibition by the Lotus Project School.
- 14:30h. Farewell with dulzainas of the Cultural Association Kalaberas in the Plaza del Arcipreste.