The San Julián Fair is held the last week of August in the magical capital of the Hanging Houses
Cuenca has already everything prepared for one of its most festive weeks of the year, which this year in particular will run from August 22 to September 1. The city of La Mancha celebrates its Fair and Festivities in honor of its patron, San Julián. Don Julián ben Tauro came from a noble Mozarabic family of Toledo and was the second bishop of the diocese of Cuenca, between 1198 and 1208. Exactly until January 28, 1208, the day of his death and on which his feast is celebrated . But only religious acts are celebrated because the pagan ones take place in August.
But this was not always so; due to the inclement weather in the month of January and what this fact made difficult the influx of neighbors from nearby towns to venerate their patron, for centuries it was celebrated in September. However, in 1964 the City Council of Cuenca unanimously approved to celebrate the Fair the last week of August, as we know it now, and religious events are held on Patron Day.
Sports tournaments where the Equestrian Contest stands out, giants and big heads, the parade of floats, children’s activities, theater, variety of parades and concerts fill the city. The Provincial Council also organizes the Craft Fair, which has become one of the most important in the Castilla-La Mancha Community and is a classic of its festivities.
Bullfighting Fair of San Julián 2019
And, without a doubt, the Bullfighting Fair is the great attraction of San Julián. The MaxiToro company, owned by Maximino Pérez, celebrates 20 years at the head of Cuenca Bullring and has managed to make it a national benchmark. This year, again, the leading figures of the ranks, the winners of the season and the young promises, meet in the classic Champions of the Bullfight!