ARCHIVED - Traditional food in the Malecón gardens for Murcia Feria

Fifteen barracas serve typical Murcian  food until September 14th

On Thursday evening the image of the Virgen de la Fuensanta was carried down into Murcia City, signaling the start of the Murcia Feria, which is open until the 14th September.

As well as the huge fairground at La Fica, attendees can enjoy lots of musical events and family activities, the livestock fair, the Moors and Christians parade next weekend, and of course, tapas.

One of the most popular areas of the annual Feria in Murcia are the tapas gardens or “barracas”, set up in the botanical gardens which run alongside the Segura River, the Jardines del Malecón of the city where visitors can sample the simple pleasures of traditional Murcian gastronomy.

The barracas will remain open until Sunday 14th September, manned by hard-working staff who belong to the folklore groups which maintain this and other traditions, earning money with which they pay for their activities and premises during the rest of the year.

Prices at all fifteen of the establishments in the Malecón park are fixed: for example, sausages and morcillas cost just 90 cents each, roast potatoes 80 cents, a small plate of michirones (broad bean stew) 1.30€ and a Murciano salad 1.60€. A jug of wine costs 3€, and a jug of beer 3.60€. Ever since the economic crisis took hold these prices have remained practically the same year after year, offering good value and a great atmosphere.

This weekend the Feria begins with the livestock fair held just outside of the city, culminating in a procession into the city on Sunday morning, and there are plenty of concerts and activities to enjoy this weekend.
As this is such a vast programme, translation takes many hours, so this weekend’s main events have been translated on one document, with the remainder written separately in blocks.
The main Moors and Christians parade is on Saturday 13th at 9pm: this next weekend’s programme will be posted within a couple of days.

Click for first part of the programme from the 5th to the 8th of September.