MEDIEVAL MARKET BOTH POPULAR AND FINANCIAL SUCCESS

According to official figures released by the Local Police, some 225,000 people visited the Medieval Market in Orihuela last weekend, despite the adverse weather conditions that could have put a dampener on the whole event. Councillor for Festividades, Carolina Gracia, also said that this was the first time that the event has not cost the town hall any money, expenses which easily reach around 60,000 euro, and that for the first time in 13 years, the council has received money for the event.

Of the 225,000 visitors, some 400 of them took to the bus service that connected the Orihuela Costa and Entre Naranjos to the event. Costing less than 5€ return from the cost and 3€ return from Entre Naranjos, bringing in nearly 2,000€ in fares.

Carolina Gracia said that, despite low temperatures, the number of visitors was very important and that it benefited shops and catering establishments and other businesses throughout the city as well as visits to museums and monuments.

The market spread over 3 kilometres, with crafts, traditional gifts, clothing, food, drink and much more, all with a very medieval feel, as market traders dressed themselves and their stalls to catapult us back to a time long ago. There were around 20 craft workshops and 30 shows, from theatre to circus and music in between, making sure that there was something for everybody in one of the biggest events of its kind that attracts visitors from across the whole of Spain and beyond.