Manresa transforms into a vibrant, illuminated medieval market this weekend

Fira de l’Aixada returns to Manresa with workshops, shows and crafts. The historic centre fills with life and light. Discover how to get there from Barcelona and what makes this event unique. The city revives a centuries-old tradition.

This weekend, those looking for a different escape from Barcelona have an unmissable date in Manresa. The city becomes the setting for the Fira de l’Aixada, a medieval market that transforms the historic centre into a bustling mosaic of stalls, shows and activities for every age. Its atmosphere, marked by light and tradition, invites visitors to lose themselves among craft workshops, dances and open-air theatrical performances.

The 29th edition of this fair coincides with the emblematic Festival of Light, an event that draws thousands of visitors each year. Although the final programme has not yet been made public, it is known that the offer will include everything from demonstrations of ancient trades to street music and theatre. Families, curious visitors and history lovers will be able to immerse themselves in an experience that goes far beyond a simple market.

The singularity of the Fira de l’Aixada lies in its connection with a legendary episode: seven centuries ago, a mysterious light from Montserrat illuminated the Carme church and, according to tradition, resolved a conflict that had brought construction of the Manresa séquia to a standstill. This phenomenon, which ended years of drought, is remembered each year in a celebration that turns the city into a spectacle of light and colour.

For those planning to travel from Barcelona, the quickest option is the C-16 by car, although the number of visitors can make parking difficult. The R4 Rodalies train line, with stops at Sants, Plaça de Catalunya, Arc de Triomf, La Sagrera-Meridiana, Fabra i Puig and Torre Baró-Vallbona, offers a comfortable direct alternative to Manresa.

The Fira de l’Aixada is not only an opportunity to discover local history and crafts, but also to experience the city differently, in a festive atmosphere that connects past and present.

The Festival of Light, the central axis of the Fira de l’Aixada, is rooted in a tradition that has shaped Manresa’s identity. Every year, the city relives the mystery of the light of Montserrat, a story passed from generation to generation that continues to inspire residents and visitors. The event does not merely celebrate a historical fact; it reinforces the sense of community and the city’s ability to reinvent itself through culture and collective memory.