Medieval Fair – Castro Marim

Posted on August 28, 2007
Filed Under Algarve Events

We took a step back in time Sunday night after entering the old city of Castro Marim. The small and maze like streets leading to the old Castle spotted with juggling jesters along the walkways, immediately transported us to a different time and place.

As we made our way toward the castle entrance, barbarians, musicians and maidens lined the streets to entertain, while merchants stood by selling their wares from dried fruits and candies to medicinal herbs for anything that may ale you.

Castro Marim Medieval FAir

The rough cobblestones up the steep castle entrance are a testament to how different life was back in the 11 century.

Inside the castles fortress walls were stalls filling every basic necessary. Oil lamps illumined the pathways to cobblers, textile spinners, iron, wood, and tinsmiths. Food was readily available; wine and beer poured from the many spouts of bars and taverns, while sausages and a whole suckling pig roasted on a spit nearby. This was clearly a time when delicate sensibilities rarely existed, and survival in its most basic form was priority.

Flag, jousting and sword fighting between knights over land and ladies was alive and well and entertained the thousands that lined the castle walls and perimeter to get a peak. The castle was a perfect backdrop to get you in the mood, and if you needed some convincing you could also drop your cash in exchange for the old Reis currency, and trade through out the castle in Reis.

Castro Marim

Moses salivated every time we walked by something roasting and the searing choricos looked especially delicious served on enormous slabs of handmade bread. Unfortunately, we had just made some kebabs disappear before walking into the castle, so we passed on the choricos and the formal medieval feast, but we’ll leave those for next year and come armed with our hunger — we did however manage to squeeze in a very chocolaty messy crepe as we exited the old city. In the spirit of medieval times no cutlery necessary, just fingers and a massive hot crepe slathered in chocolate on brown paper…incredibly messy, but sometimes getting dirty is a delicious experience!