Hospital de Orbigo

The Medieval Jousting of Passo Honroso (the Honourable Pass) are held in memory of the feats of Don Suero de Quiñones in the 15th century. Don Suero had made a vow to his love Leonor to fast on Thursdays and to wear an iron ring around his neck. But he wanted to be released from the promise, and so he proposed that he would break 300 lances of the foreign knights who crossed the bridge. His challenge was never completed: after breaking only 166 lances the judges took pity on him and released him from the vow. Since then, every year on the first weekend of June, the village of Hospital de Órbigo remembers that day when Don Suero and his attendants pitched themselves in contest with a group of knights. The tournament is one of the main acts of the games, which include a parade of standard bearers and mounted knights before the great battle, and the ladies' medieval dancing and folk music. The medieval market and the different games and contests that fill the streets, attract more than 15,000 tourists every year, to mix with the townspeople who dress up in mediaeval costumes.
The end of the festivities is celebrated with a public mediaeval feast, including entertainment from minstrels, jugglers and saltimbanquis (circus performers), and followed by an impressive medieval torch-lit procession.

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