• Historical Re-enactment
• |
• What is it?
• |
• Re-enactment Groups
• |
• Events and Festivals
• |
• Gallery
• |
• Links
• |
• Agenda

Mercat Romà de Iesso i Capvespres a la Romana

Població: Guissona (La Segarra)
Dates: 13-07-2009 / 18-07-2009
Època: Època Antiga
Pàgina web: http://www.guissona.net/default800.asp

Since 1997, a Roman Market annually takes place in Guissona the third weekend of July. Signs of ancient Roman Iesso are found everywhere in Guissona, town already documented in late II century BC and early I century BC. As a matter of fact, Iesso was one of the most important Roman towns in Catalonia, after Tarraco and Emporion. Not only visitors from neighbouring towns enjoy the festivity, but especially Guissona's inhabitants who witness the total transformation of their city. Theme scenarios like baths, taverns or gardens are reconstructed where patricians and plebeians stroll, chat cheerfully, buy, sell or can simply enjoy the gastronomy and the many exhibitions of ancient professions and craftsmen. Thanks to growing popular participation, this market is full of life and animation.

 

Some of the activities have a highly festive and commercial character since the purpose of the Market is also to promote local trade and benefit. However, local history and faithfulness to historical facts have increasingly played a role. Nowadays, some performances allow visitors to enjoy high level historical re-enactment.

 

The week previous to the Market, the so-called Roman Evenings take place, these being the most cultural part of the event. For 5 days assorted cultural activities with historical background can be enjoyed, such as roman cooking workshops, roman tools manufacturing, children games, historical cinema sessions or lectures, to name a few.