Sahagún--One of those random memorable Camino moments

[Bob Howard]

I posted this on a thread about the Meseta earlier today. It is one of my favorite Camino moments. If it's ok with the moderators, I'm elevating it as a freestanding post.

In July this year I arrived in Sahagún after a relatively short 17 kms walk from Ledigos. I think I got there about 10:00. I sat down in the Plaza Mayor which was devoid of activity at that hour. In looking around in the distance, I maybe could see four or five people. That was all. The Plaza Mayor looked like this:



A few minutes later I heard something off to my right, and out of the blue this happened:

View attachment Sahagun.MOV

 

[Grahammac]

The Battle of Sahagun is a famous battle between the British and the retreating French forces.

Battle of Sahagun

The dawn attack by the British 15th Hussars, on 21st December 1808 in the snow, that routed a French cavalry brigade and set the standard for British cavalry in the Peninsular War; ‘Success to the Fifteenth; and ‘God Save the King’.

www.britishbattles.com

 

[Bert45]

The Battle of Sahagun is a famous battle between the British and the retreating French forces.

Battle of Sahagun

The dawn attack by the British 15th Hussars, on 21st December 1808 in the snow, that routed a French cavalry brigade and set the standard for British cavalry in the Peninsular War; ‘Success to the Fifteenth; and ‘God Save the King’.

www.britishbattles.com

What does that have to do with the band marching through the Plaza Mayor in July 2023?

 

[Grahammac]

What does that have to do with the band marching through the Plaza Mayor in July 2023?

Bert, your post rightly highlighted unexpected moments on the Camino. I apologise for the totally unrelated post. I posted it simply that your post is about Sahagun and I found out about the battle because I googled the town when I passed through in 2019. I had terrible shin splints then. I hope you have more such moments.

 

[grayland]

@Bob Howard ....Did you ever find the reason for the band?
Somehow...they just don't have the look of a Spanish band.
Actually, I am sure they must be a town group.

 

[Bob Howard]

@Bob Howard ....Did you ever find the reason for the band?
Somehow...they just don't have the look of a Spanish band.
Actually, I am sure they must be a town group.

Yes, it was related to the John of Sahagún festival.

Where I was sitting in the Plaza Mayor was right in front of the Sahagún Ayuntamiento (the town hall). The band was there to escort town officials to the church for some ceremony. Instead of just gathering in front of the Ayuntamiento and then parading with the officials to the church, they apparently marched there from another location. The festival got underway later in the day and that night was quite a wild night in the Plaza Mayor. And yes it is the town band. As Rebekah observed who lives in Moratinos and posts regularly on the forum, it is the Bando Municipal. Here's the wikipedia about John of Sahagún:

John of Sahagún - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[sapient5]

or... maybe that's how they greet every peregrino who comes to visit their town!
that's what i'd like to think.

 

[Meshewszon]

From the CP a few years ago...
https://photos.app.goo.gl/6qGooywHvrbLmCQL8
Not to every one's musical taste but I loved that sound!

 

[WGroleau]

Yes, it was related to the John of Sahagún festival.
Where I was sitting in the Plaza Mayor was right in front of the Sahagún Ayuntamiento (the town hall). The band was there to escort town officials to the church for some ceremony. Instead of just gathering in front of the Ayuntamiento and then parading with the officials to the church, they apparently marched there from another location.

Strange that the plaza was empty when all the locals must have known what was about to happen.

 

[Bob Howard]

Strange that the plaza was empty when all the locals must have known what was about to happen.

The festival didn't get going until later in the afternoon. The band was there to escort the city officials to the church for something, maybe a Mass. The day before was a running with the bulls event and according to a couple locals I spoke with, people were out that night into the wee hours. Beginning in the afternoon, the pedestrian way the band was marching down would have tables and diners.

 

[Sanchoxote]

I posted this on a thread about the Meseta earlier today. It is one of my favorite Camino moments. If it's ok with the moderators, I'm elevating it as a freestanding post.

In July this year I arrived in Sahagún after a relatively short 17 kms walk from Ledigos. I think I got there about 10:00. I sat down in the Plaza Mayor which was devoid of activity at that hour. In looking around in the distance, I maybe could see four or five people. That was all. The Plaza Mayor looked like this:

View attachment 154006

A few minutes later I heard something off to my right, and out of the blue this happened:

View attachment 154004

A lovely gift from the Camino.