The remains of the stone hewn fortress perched at the top of a summit set the scene for a fascinating insight into a different era, namely, the middle ages, at this years IV Mercado Medieval. The event proved to be an immensely popular attraction for tourists and inhabitants in the Fuengirola area, drawing hundreds, if not thousands of people through its doors over the 4 day period from 9th August to the 12th.

As you approach the castle and begin the steep ascent to the top, the heavy panting and excited chatter of those around you recedes as the haunting sound of medieval music with its melodic chords permeates the air. Huge efforts had been made by the organisers to ensure an authentic theme prevailed throughout the fortress and on the whole, they were pretty successful in their endeavours.

There were numerous market stalls set up along the narrow path with the vendors dressed in clothes appropriate to the time, all hawking their various wares, but sadly, not at medieval prices. Goods ranged from traditional jewellery to highly polished wooden pots and jugs, wooden bows and arrows to heraldry posters and shields. Food was plentiful varying from cheeses to giant sausages with a number of cafes on hand to satisfy any hunger pangs. Drinks could be obtained at tavernas complete with hand carved wooden placards where you could be served by the traditional busty barmaid, resplendent in a low cut bodice gown as befitted the setting of yesteryear.

Within the main hall of the fort lay yet even more stalls, interspersed with games designed for children such as a wooden boat rocking crazily from side to side. Such were the crowds though, that it would have taken easily up to an hour for the queues to subside before anybody was able to enjoy this simple amusement. Adjacent to the boat could be found a small area set aside for those interested in firing off wooden arrows with what looked suspiciously like long bows. They were ably demonstrated by a tall, thickset man duly attired in a rough shirt and tights.

In another corner of the hall, there were entertainers of another sort on hand to amuse the crowd, ranging from balloon artistes (surely synthetics weren’t around back then but no matter) to magicians delighting the audience with their sleight of hand tricks.

Throughout each night, artistes would prance along the crowds, complete with their backing group of merry men. The acts ranged from jugglers kitted out in stripy garb mincing along as their balls passed deftly from hand to hand, to my personal favourite of the night which was the singing troupe proclaiming the adventures of Sinbad the pirate. Too bad for me for that I didn’t understand a word of the ballad. However, the general meaning of the performance came across just as well, which is, I imagine how the world of operatics succeeds as most people are certainly not fluent in Italian.

One of the major highlights of the night for myself and many others I suspect, was climbing up onto the parapet to enjoy the events unfold below in the courtyard as well as to take in the spectacular views of the surrounding sea and mountainous backdrop on land. From this vantage point, the lights in the castle lookout created a magical ambience and the whole event is one which I will remember fondly.