The Albacete Fair: From economic resource to social event

Once Albacete closes the doors of the Fairgrounds until next September, one of the oldest fairs with the greatest economic impact on the development of the town and subsequent city of Albacete closes, largely forgotten due to its current recreational relevance. In fact, there are some who are surprised by the unusual shape of the “Frying Pan” or the renowned “roundels”, which year after year gain more notoriety among domestic tourists. The Albacete Fair!

Such is the impact of the leisure sector that, if we were to ask what the word “Fair” means, the first social meaning would be “holiday”, almost detached from its origin as most important market.

That is why we dwell on the first meaning of the word Fair, according to the RAE, as Market of greater importance than the common one, an economic event that not all towns and cities were eligible for. In fact, many wanted a fair in their town, but few were granted, and not all of them could continue to this day. Not so in the case of a population located on an unhealthy plain near the capital Chinchillana. Step by step, its location at a crossroads and a growing interest in the trade of agricultural products would allow Albacete to develop demographically and economically.

Although little known, the route of the fair was quite bumpy. It was a very profitable asset that confronted first two populations and, finally, political and religious power. Even before, the relationship between Albacete and Chinchilla was tense, especially since the small farmhouse began a remarkable growth that culminated in the 16th century, which allowed it, once the crisis of the 18th century was overcome, to resume the Fair. The end of this conflict would not come until, thanks to his support during the War of Succession, Philip V declared the privilege of Feria Franca in the Royal Provision of March 6, 1710. This date is the one that is celebrated as official.

In this way, the fair takes place in Albacete and begins a new chapter in its history. A new power comes into play when the market takes on a clear religious character, associated with the cult of the Matrona of Albacete: The Virgin of Los Llanos. Both parties seek to obtain the significant recourse offered by merchants through litigation, complaints and the odd confrontation (we have encountered the church). It took almost 80 years and numerous lawsuits for the Supreme Court of Castile to recognize the town's right to hold the Fair, thus settling the demands of the friars who would desist from continuing with the litigation.

The concession materialized in the development of an entire system of facilities for the market that, between cause and effect, improved the economic landscape of the 18th century in Los Llanos. The context coincided with a new current of enlightened thinking, which helped to program various utility infrastructures, including the Fairgrounds, which would now be located in its current location after the approval of the definitive transfer by the Council of Castile.

The next step was the choice of an infrastructure to host the annual celebration. This unique architecture responded, according to the researchers, to the rationalist idea of enlightened urban planning. It is one of only four circular buildings, not associated with bullfighting, built in the 18th century in Spain and one of the few that were built at the European level at the time. Although it breaks with traditional schemes, the venue maintains the idiosyncrasy of La Mancha in the details of its construction, which adds personality.

Surely more than one person has wondered why 11 days of holidays? Although in the first years of the Fair, it only lasted 4 days (from September 7 to 10), it was gradually increased to one week, by the Royal Order of 1834 (from 7 to 14), until it finally ended with the Decree of 1853, which gave the City Council freedom to make decisions in this regard. There is no better indication of its success than increasing its duration.

How a trade fair that withstood wars, pandemics and crises went on to one of the most renowned leisure fairs in Spain, declared of International Tourist Interest (which has also been going through its own business), is perhaps a topic for another blog post. Although his story would make for a much larger text, this summary is only intended to attract the attention of such a present and unknown Cultural Asset.

In short, a long history of conflicts between localities, wars of leadership between political and religious power and an economic paradigm shift, productive and playful, extensively studied by researchers, leaving behind a Fairgrounds as a silent witness.

A mirror of our history.