Calasparra will take its traditional step back into the past between June 9 and June 12 for the celebrations that mark the donation of the town to the military order of St John of Jerusalem and everyone has a chance to join in.
The town centre will be closed to traffic for the medieval market and the bars and restaurant are hosting the Ruta de Tapas and Copas over three days and donating some of the profits to the victims of the Lorca earthquake.
The Medieval Banquet, this year organized by the local Chamber of Commerce, is your first chance to dress up. You can hire or buy medieval costumes for the dinner and then join in the traditional medieval procession which precedes the theatrical re-enactment of the donation of the town.
Horses and riders in costume are the high point of the procession and the recommended viewing point is the floodlit steps of St Peter’s Church. The enactment this year will take place in the Cine Rosales.
For full details of all the events and where to hire your costumes see below.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 8
8pm Inauguration of the Medieval Market “La Encomienda”.
Opening speech, street musicians, witches, spells and fortune telling. Children´s corner, workshops, traditional games, donkey rides…………..Artisans corner and more than 40 artisan and gastronomic stalls.
9.30pm Rice Growers Fountain: Procession “Gremio de Mercaderes”
10pm Cine Rosales: Grand Medieval Banquet
Organized by the local Chamber of Commerce
Costumes can be hired or bought from Pepe Caro (Avda. Juan R. Jiménez, 35), from May 30.
THURSDAY JUNE 9
9am Plaza de la Corredera: “Calasparra, paso a paso 2011”: Route of the Museums including an urban itinerary around the old town with a guided tour of the Rice Museum, the Archeological Museum and “El Molinico”.
Open day at the Puerto Cave and the Islamic ruins at Villa Vieja from 12:30pm.
Inscriptions at the Tourist Office.
During the day: Medieval Mercado “La Encomienda”.
8pm Grand Procession with the participation of the different military orders, the Christian kings, the religious orders and groups of the era.
Itinerary: Gran Vía Vieja- Ctra. De Mula-Avda. 1º de Mayo- Plaza de la Corredera- C/ Salzillo- C/ Lavador-C/ Poeta Miguel Hernández-Avda. Juan R. Jiménez- C/ Germán Galindo- Plaza Emilio Pérez Piñero- Cine Rosales.
10pm Cine Rosales: Re-enactment of the handing over of the keys of the town by King Sancho IV to the Order of San Juan de Jerusalem. This year the town’s teachers will accept the keys.
FRIDAY JUNE 10
During the day: Medieval Mercado “La Encomienda”.
8.30pm Municipal Auditorium: Presentation of the “Germán Galindo” Foundation with Asociación Banda de Música de Calasparra.
SUNDAY JUNE 12
9pm Plaza de la Corredera: “Calasparra, paso a paso 2011”: The Rice Route
Information and inscriptions at the Tourist Office
III RUTA GASTRONOMICA MEDIEVAL:
“Ruta de la Tapa Solidaria”
For this edition of the Ruta de Tapas the participating establishments will be donating part of the profits to the victims of the Lorca earthquake and to Caritas. Tap and small beer: 2€.
Collaborating esatablishments:
1. BAR “CASINO”
2. BAR “CRILLAS”
3. BAR “LOS ZAGALES”
4. RESTAURANTE “MESON TAURINO”
5. BAR “LA GOTERA”
6. RESTAURANTE “CENTRO”
7. BAR “LA TASCA”
8. BAR “CANTERO”
9. RESTAURANTE “SANTA PALABRA”
10. RESTAURANTE- HOTEL “CONSTITUCIÓN”
11. PIZZERIA “ERAS DE URSULO”
12. BAR “ALEGRIA”
13. BAR “ANFRA”
14. BAR “LAS CAÑAS-FENIX”
15. RESTAURANTE “CABEZO NEGRO”
16. RESTAURANTE “AL-ANDALUS”
17. RESTAURANTE “LOS VIVEROS”
18. CAFETERIA “JOYMAN”
19. CAFE REALES- Tfno: 968-720942
20. CAFETERIA MARTINEZ- Tfno: 968-720571
21. CAFETERIA PINVER- Tfno: 630-066476
