A journey of 2,000 years to ancient Rome.
at the end of Each week of Sunday, the streets from the historic de Calahorra is transformed to host one of the most anticipated events of the year: the Mercaforum. A unique experience that since 1995 it carries transporting thousands of visitors to the old Calagurris Nassica Iulia, in full imperial roman era.
Organized by the Cultural Association Group Step Living this great roman market is much more than a historical re-enactment: it is a complete cultural immersion and sensory, which brings together over 500 people between the organization, planning and staging. Here, every detail counts. From the scenarios to the performances, everything has been devised, built and dominated by members of the Group Step Living, with an extraordinary historical accuracy.
What to see in Mercaforum?
Walk through the Mercaforum is back 2,000 years, and immerse yourself fully in the Calagurris roman. along its streets, visitors will find a selection of artisans from around the country, specialists in the work of wood, metal, fabrics and food products. Among them, stand out the creators of roman pottery that reproduce parts faithful to the original, using the same techniques employed by the famous potter calagurritano Cayo Valerio Verdulo. His works can be compared with the genuine parts that are preserved in the Museum of the Romanization of Calahorra.
The market comes to life with many live workshops, where adults and children can observe and participate in ancient crafts. One of the most visited is the Office Monetalis, a replica functional of the former office of the minting of coins that existed in the Calagurris roman. This activity, which is restored thanks to the work of the association Friends of the History of Calahorra, allows you to experience first-hand how they shaped the currency centuries ago.
In the Mercaforum, the show is guaranteed. An attractive key what are the parades of the LEGIO VI VICTRIX, a recreation reliable of the roman legion based in the city, since 2003, performing exercises, training and battle tactics in the urban area. At his side, the legions of children’s and youth encourage the participation of smaller, bringing freshness and dynamism to the event.
The cultural offer is extended with a theatrical representations of historical inspiration, among which stands out The dreams of Claudia Procula, a moving work that functions as a link between the roman world of the weekend and the religious acts of the Holy Week calagurritana, has been declared a Festival of National Interest.
Along the tour, the visitor can also enjoy performances of all kinds: displays of birds of prey, gladiators fights, live music, storytelling, animation, street and traditional games for all ages.
The setting of the Mercaforum is designed for maximum historical accuracy. The streets are transformed into spaces that reproduce real-scale ancient Calagurris: the majestic Arc de Triomphe welcomes the visitors; the pavements show authentic roman mosaics; and the domus recreates with fidelity a housing patricia with its characteristic impluvium to collect rain water. In addition, there are sculptures of divinities of the roman and Greek as Octavio Augusto, Ceres, or the winged Victory of Samothrace, friezes, decorative, temples, the altar of Sacrifice, and columns of large format complete a scenery worthy of a great city of the Empire.
Not lacking either the party more festive and participatory: the recreation of military camps romans, where partnerships guests from other places, they provide a vision even more complete life military during the roman era.
Legio VI Victrix
One of the great attractions of the Mercaforum it is the presence of the LEGIO VI VICTRIX, a faithful historical recreation of the roman legion that was settled in the old Calagurris.
Since the year 2003, this unit offers impressive live demonstrations of military instruction, showing with precision the tactical exercises, training up, and combat maneuvers typical of the roman army. In addition, its members dressed with absolute fidelity, weaponry, clothing and shields were characteristic of the time, allowing the audience to contemplate and understand about how was the life of a legionnaire in the time of the Empire.
Accompanying this grouping veteran, parade also the legions of children and youth, formed by the younger members of the Group Step Living. Your enthusiasm and participation not only ensures the generational change in the historical recreation, but they also invite the little ones to feel an active part of the Mercaforum, which each year attracts to a family audience growing.
Together, young and old, form a visual spectacle and teaching that turns the streets of Calahorra in an authentic roman camp in motion.
The dreams of Claudia Procula
As a finishing touch to the days of Mercaforum, one of the representations the most emotional of the weekend: the theatrical dreams of Claudia Procula.
The scene is situated in the Tower Antonia, residence in Galilee of the third roman Procurator Pontius Pilate. There, his wife, Claudia Procula, tormented by disturbing visions, he confesses the dreams I had the night previous to the trial of Jesus of Nazareth.
Inspired by the apocryphal gospels, this representation not only provides a content-laden drama and historical significance, but also acts as a missing link between the universe roman recreated in the Mercaforum and the religious acts of the Holy Week calagurritana. The play takes place on the night of palm Sunday, just before the expected Enactment of the Passion which is celebrated on Holy Thursday.
A mise-en-scene solemn and neat that connects the history, legend, and religious tradition of Calahorra.
Scenarios
Every corner of the Mercaforum has been carefully set to transport the visitor to the Calagurris imperial. These are the main scenarios that you can discover on your visit:
- Glorieta de Quintiliano
starting Point of the Mercaforum. Here we celebrate the official opening of the market and represents the emotional theatrical dreams of Claudia Procula.
- Arc de Triomphe
monumental Entrance that welcomes visitors. Decorated with rich bas-reliefs and classical sculptures that evoke the glory of the Empire.
- Temple (Parthenon)
Imposing structure that invites visitors to walk between its columns. It also works as a point of information about the schedules and activities of the Mercaforum.
- An imperial lararium
– Altar domestic housing an ancient roman. Inside, a small exhibition displays objects of everyday life in roman times: coins, brooches and utensils personal.
- Fresh mosaics and
decorative Elements that reproduce with fidelity to the visual arts typical of the patrician houses of rome.
- Galera romana
Section of vessel that shows you how to transport goods through the Mare Nostrum, the inland sea of the Empire.
- Roman camp
military Space located next to several items of use in war as a catapult, a tent and a turret,. A recreation that brings us to the battles fought along the walls of Calagurris.
- Impluvium
rectangular Structure located in the center of the best roman, designed to collect rain water. A clear example of the engineering domestic romana.
- Sculptures of deities of Greek and roman
Presences majestic as Octavio Augusto, Ceres —goddess of agriculture— or the winged Victory of Samothrace, Greek symbol of victory, preside over the environment of the Mercaforum.
- Tabernae
rest Areas set as the ancient local romans, where you can taste a skewer accompanied by wine from the earth.
- Friezes and columns monumental
Great classical structures that complete the atmosphere of the architectural roman, creating a visually stunning and true to the era.
