In 2023, the Fair expanded to other spaces in Coimbra, in addition to Largo da Sé Velha, and will now also operate on the first day of the event, which in the last edition was reserved for the medieval supper.
“Last year, we had already introduced something new to what is the oldest Fair in the country and, this year, we are going to have one more Fair night” than in the last edition, said the head of the Chamber’s Culture Division Municipal Council of Coimbra, Rafael Nascimento, during the presentation of the initiative.
The Fair starts on the 19th, a Friday, with the opening scheduled for 7:00 pm.
The medieval supper will continue to take place on the first night, in the cloisters of the Sé Velha, with a menu provided by the Social Action Services of the University of Coimbra (SASUC), but, as Rafael Nascimento said, tickets for this activity are already sold out.
The Fair will be in Largo da Sé Velha, as usual, but also on Rua do Norte, Quebra-Costas, Rua Borges Carneiro, Pátio and Largo do Castilho and Rua Fernandes Tomás, up to Arco de Almedina, in a wider perimeter than the last year, being subordinated to the theme of the 960 years of the definitive conquest of Coimbra by Fernando Magno, with the government of the region handed over to D. Sesnando.
The initiative, in addition to the historical recreation animation, under the responsibility of the Almanach cooperative, brings together seven associations, 35 merchants (in the area of sausages, weaving, toys, and cheese, among others) and 25 traders.
Visitors can also enjoy “all the usual entertainment, with period music, dance and fire shows” in the evening, in addition to a parallel program, with guided tours focused on this period, conversations, and exhibitions, among others.
In a note sent to the Lusa agency, the municipality stated that, within the scope of this initiative, some traffic restrictions and parking bans will take place, from 2pm on the 18th until 12pm on the 21st, in Largo da Sé Velha and in all affluent arteries (Rua dos Coutinhos, Rua da Ilha, Rua Guilherme Moreira, Rua do Cabido, Rua Joaquim António de Aguiar, Rua Fernandes Tomás, Arco de Almedina, Rua Borges Carneiro, Rua do Norte and Largo José Rodrigues).