This weekend I was lucky enough to enjoy once again the most anticipated celebrations of Vigo, a festival full of history. It is the Feast of the Reconquest of Vigo. Last year although I did not know much about this event, my husband and I were curious to go and see what it was about and we were fascinated, we had never been to the celebration of a medieval festival. So this year I could not pass up the opportunity to share with you some of the pictures I took during the event.
A little bit of history...
For those who don't know it, every year, the last weekend of March is commemorated the moment when the Vigueans managed to expel the Napoleonic troops, in this festival is remembered the struggle for independence that was fought between January and March 1809. According to what I read from some pages I found on the Web, this act made Vigo the first city in Europe to free itself from French rule. But the most epic thing is that it was the people who did it. Ordinary people, armed with sticks, brooms, machetes and whatever tools they had at hand, all went out to defend their land with enormous courage. All united by the love for their city and the desire to be free, a spirit that is still very much alive in this celebration.
From the moment you set foot in the Casco Vello, time seems to go backwards. The streets are filled with people dressed in period clothing: peasants, soldiers, merchants and even the occasional pirate stroll among us, many wearing costumes with an impressive level of detail. Many wear costumes with an impressive level of detail, in fact I saw several stores with this type of clothing, it's like walking inside the set of a medieval movie!
Many of the people in costume were the actors of the famous theatrical acts of the Reconquista. These acts represented scenes in the street about the key moments of the liberation of Vigo, it was a great display of actors, scenery and a lot of enthusiasm. Unfortunately we could not get to the place where the act of the expulsion of the French took place because there were many people, but we were left with the enthusiasm that was in the whole population.
Este fin de semana tuve la suerte de disfrutar una vez más de las celebraciones más esperadas de Vigo, unas fiestas llenas de historia. Se trata de la Fiesta de la Reconquista de Vigo. El año pasado aunque no conocía mucho sobre este evento, tuvimos la curiosidad mi marido y yo de ir a ver de que se trataba y quedamos fascinados, nunca habíamos estado en la celebración de una fiesta medieval. Así que este año no podía dejar pasar la oportunidad de compartir con ustedes algunas de las fotos que tomé durante el evento.
Un Poco de Historia...
Para los que no la sepan, todos los años, el último fin de semana de Marzo se conmemora el momento en que los vigueses lograron expulsar a las tropas napoleónicas, en esta fiesta se recuerda la lucha por la independencia que se libró entre enero y marzo de 1809. Según lo que leí de algunas páginas que encontré en la Web, este acto convirtió a Vigo en la primera ciudad de Europa que se liberó del dominio francés. Pero lo más épico es que fue el pueblo quien lo consiguió. Gente común, armada con palos, escobas, machetes y cualquier herramienta que tuviera a mano, todos salieron a defender su tierra con una valentía enorme. Todos unidos por el amor a su ciudad y las ganas de ser libres, espíritu que sigue aún muy vivo en esta celebración.
Desde que uno pone un pie en el Casco Vello, el tiempo parece retroceder. Las calles se llenan de gente vestida con ropa de la época: campesinos, soldados, mercaderes y hasta algún que otro pirata se pasean entre nosotros. Muchos llevan trajes con un nivel de detalle impresionante, de echo vi varias tiendas con este tipo de vestimenta. ¡Es como caminar dentro del set de una película medieval!
Muchas de las personas disfrazadas eran los actores de los famosos actos teatrales de la Reconquista. Esos actos representaban escenas en la calle sobre los momentos claves de la liberación de Vigo, fue un gran despliegue de actores, escenografía y mucho entusiasmo. Lamentablemente no pudimos llegar hasta el lugar donde se llevó a cabo el acto de la expulsión de los franceses porque había mucha gente, pero nos quedamos con ese entusiasmo que había en toda la población.
One of the most enjoyable things at this party (and it sure shows in the photos) is the food. Parrilladas and choripan were everywhere, with the smell of grilled churrasco and chorizos flooding the atmosphere. There were also empanadas, pulpo á feira, and of course, the artisan sweets: the fried dulce de leche which is very popular, also rosquillas, filloas, and other typical desserts that are impossible to resist. In every little street you could find something delicious to try.
Una de las cosas que más se disfruta en esa fiesta (y que seguro se nota en las fotos) es la comida. Las parrilladas y el choripan estaban por todas partes, con el olor a churrasco y chorizos asados inundando el ambiente. También había empanadas, pulpo á feira, y por supuesto, los dulces artesanos: el dulce de leche frito que es muy popular, también rosquillas, filloas, y otros postres típicos que son imposibles de resistir. En cada callecita podías encontrar algo delicioso que probar.
I found this really curious, I had never seen a rotating grill of this dimensions before. I think it gives a plus to the flavor. Is that why they cost 35 euros each grill plate? 🤔
Esto me pareció realmente curioso, nunca había visto una parrilla giratoria de estas dimensiones. Creo que eso le da un plus al sabor. Será por eso que costaban 35 euros cada plato de parrilla? 🤔
In addition to the food, another highlight was the craft stalls. I found everything from natural soaps and pottery, to handmade jewelry and leather goods. All made by local artisans, some took the time to tell you how they create their products.
Además de la comida, otro punto fuerte fueron los puestos de artesanía. Encontré desde jabones naturales y cerámica, hasta joyas hechas a mano y artículos de cuero. Todo hecho por artesanos locales, algunos se tomaban el tiempo de contarte como crean sus productos.
The music was not lacking either. And you could not miss groups of bagpipers that walked the streets playing traditional Galician melodies, in any corner or street you entered there were groups encouraging people and even took you out to dance those typical dances that I swear I would dance them! It was something that put a more joyful touch to this festivity.
La música tampoco faltó. Y es que no podían faltar grupos de gaiteros que recorrían las calles tocando melodías tradicionales gallegas, en cualquier rincón o calle que entraras habían grupos animando a la gente y hasta te sacaban a bailar esos bailes típicos que yo les juro que me enredaría bailarlos! Fue algo que le puso un toque más alegre a esta festividad.
In short, it was a day full of history, tradition, flavors and lots of joy. I hope the photos I share here manage to convey a little bit of that magic. If someday you have the opportunity to come to the Fiesta de la Reconquista de Vigo do not miss it, you will have fun and you will live some of the history of this city.
En resumen, fue un día lleno de historia, tradición, sabores y mucha alegría. Espero que las fotos que comparto aquí logren transmitir un poquito de esa magia. Si algún día tienen la oportunidad de venir la Fiesta de la Reconquista de Vigo no la dejen pasar, se van a divertir y van a vivir algo de la historia de esta ciudad.
My native language is Spanish, I apologize for any errors in translation.
All images in this post are my property.
English text Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
The first thing I noticed is how the traditional clothes are very different from this part of Spain, almost like they are from a completely different country! But, when I saw those market stalls, I could place myself in Spain... 🤣 I saw once that big rounded grilling place, but can't remember the prices... The smell was so strong that it was luring everyone to go there... 🤣
Luckily, as I can see from your photos, there were some other, more traditional (and cheaper) food on the menu...
Thanks for sharing! We haven't visited Vigo yet, but we were so close when we went to Porto! Next time, we will pay a visit for sure as we heard so many great stories about it... Including this one!
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I love the traditional clothing of Galicia. A few days ago was the Arribada in Baiona and in a few days the Brincadeira is going to be celebrated, it is another festival similar to this one, so those costumes are used in several occasions during the year.
I would like to see the typical costumes from other parts of Spain.
Well if someday you come to Vigo, I'm sure you'll love it and maybe we'll have a coffee or a beer.
Thanks for your support! ✨
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Hiya, @glecerioberto here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Honorable Mentions in Your post has been manually curated by the @worldmappin team. If you like what we're doing, please drop by to check out all the rest of today's great posts and consider supporting other authors like yourself and us so we can keep the project going!Thanks @glecerioberto. I'm glad you liked my post. Thanks for the support. ;D
Keep up the great work 💪
IT is good your husband and you go together, spend time to together on exploring this beautiful place. Be safe and sound.
Yes, it was a very good experience. Thanks for stopping by. ;)
What a beautiful day, you managed to capture this beautiful moment very well, it's amazing, have a nice day my friend.
Thanks a lot. Have a wonderful day you too. ;)
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