Salou. Costa Dorada. 30 August 2019.
Although you wouldn't say it with the naked eye, Salou has a past ... medieval. The truth: there are no vestiges of the time that can be visited, but we do have the ancient texts that point out how the king of the Catalan-Aragonese crown Jaume I left on September 5, 1229, from the port of Salou, to conquer Mallorca To the Muslims. The monarch commanded 155 ships that in addition to Salou also departed from Cambrils and Tarragona. Just as his predecessors had failed in this company, Jaume I achieved his purpose.
For this reason, Salou recalls this historical fact and is adorned with medieval times to offer visitors of the end of the summer a new physiognomy and activities of all kinds, including a royal courtship with more than 200 people, headed by King Jaume I and Queen Violant of Hungary. From the Plaza del Teatre Auditori de Salou (TAS), the delegation travels the Via Roma, Barcelona street, Via Aurelia and reaches the Torre Vella, from where it travels in reverse to go to the Espigó del Moll and the Llevant beach.
Undoubtedly, this procession, which will take place on September 7 from 7 p.m., is the most emblematic act of the party for the number of people who are part of the entourage dressed as vintage and also for the great fire show, exhibition Equestrian and entertainment groups that will take place on the beach to culminate this celebration.
From September 5 to 8, different areas of Salou will be set with a medieval market and different fun activities, especially for the smallest of the house. The proposals are:
- In the streets of the old town of Salou: from September 5 to 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., stalls selling artisanal food products, bread, cakes, sausages, cheeses, pastries; leather goods, clothing and accessories, perfumes, products for rituals, etc. The market will officially open on September 5 at 11 a.m. with a show for the occasion.
- In the Bonet square: also from September 5 to 8, between 11 and 23 hours, workshops, craft demonstrations will be held and there will be a gastronomic area.
- In the market square of supplies: on the same days, between 10.30am and 2pm and 5.30pm and 9pm, a medieval camp will be installed, which will offer exhibitions and shows.
- Gardens of the Municipal Public Library: the same dates, from 10.30am to 11pm, children's space with workshops, giant games and attractions. All activities are free.
In addition, the XXXIII Rei Regatta in Jaume, organized by the Salou Yacht Club, will be held between September 5 and 8, and the III Jaume I Horseball Tournament is scheduled for September 8, at Llevant Beach, at 7 pm .
For those most interested in historical knowledge, the program also includes a conference on September 4, which with the title "Jaume I: Mallorca objective. Images of the medieval past, reflections on the present of Salou", will be provided by Esther Lozano López, doctor of Art History. This activity will take place at 6.30pm at the Salou Municipal Library, and is organized by the Rovira i Virgili University (URV).
The councilors of the City of Salou in the areas of Culture, Xavier Montalà, and Dinamització Econòmica, Héctor Máiquez, especially value the involvement of Salou neighbors so that the royal courtship of September 7 is very colorful, and they have highlighted the Feast of King Jaume I as one of the activities that help to energize the municipality in some dates when there are still many visitors who want to enjoy Salou.
Have you noticed? Curiosities of Salou
Surely you have walked a few times on the Passeig Jaume I or palm tree promenade, and as you know, more or less in the middle an imposing sculpture with fountain included is erected. Represents King Jaume I sailing from Salou to the conquest of Mallorca. Well, the effigy is placed right at the point that (in a straight line towards the sea) it is assumed that the boat where Jaume I was leaving with the aim of driving Muslims out of the Balearic Islands.
In addition, Passeig Jaume I keeps another curiosity. Maybe you have not noticed because when you walk through this emblematic place ... you are not looking at your feet! But if you do you will realize that in the central area of the promenade the pavement reproduces large noble shields and the names of the Catalan nobles who accompanied King Jaume I in the conquest of Mallorca. So you see! Going through the magnificent Passeig Jaume I is to take a true walk through the history of Salou.
