Romans, Expats and Fabula Belli Troiani

For those living part of the year in Marbella at the Costa del Sol a hectic summer with more cultural events, fiestas and concerts has begun than any expat resident could ever hope for back home in the UK. Among the amazing shows, theatre performances, food festivals and sports event held this year, the historic reenactments that take place in some of the ancient towns dotted around Andalusia are always among the most engaging. Located in the municipality of Cadiz, the ancient settlement of Ocuri near Benaocaz was already a holiday resort when Romans occupied Spain more than 2,000 years ago.

Now in its fifth year, the descent to Ocuri from the ancient Roman path that leads down from Benaocaz, attracts a huge number of participants and visitors. It takes around two hours to reach the towns of Ocuri and Ubrique from Marbella, a 111 km trip well worth the time.

The Romans occupied Cadiz between the 1st and 3rd centuries BC and already appreciated the delights of the oak forests along the Sierra del Benalfi, where they began to build one of their famous roads in the foothills of what is now the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. For the last five years, modern day Romans have trotted along this ancient road to commemorate the extraordinary feat of civil engineering that has endured the test of time.

The event has become so popular that the organisers have added more and more elements to the proceedings each year. This summer the event will incorporate historic reenactments, conferences, activities for kids, a Roman market and many gastronomic delights.

Do as the Romans do

There will be discussion groups, fine arts specialists, experts in classical literature and historians standing by at the Centro de Recepción de Ocuri and other venues to throw more light on Roman influences on Spanish history. There will also be a classical theatre performance of Fabula Belli Troiani at the same centre on 21st June at 9.00 pm, when the Tea Tre Ves Theatre Workshop of Ubrique takes to the stage. This is to be followed by the II Convivivm Ocvritanorvm, a gastronomic highlight during the celebrations, for it allows visitors to get a taste of authentic Roman menus prepared with recipes and products from the Ubrique and Ocuri area.

Regular visitors are not just looking forward to the actual walk down the Roman road, which will take place on 28th June, when participants meet at around 4.45 pm at the bus station to take a specially designated bus. This will take participants to the starting point of the walk in the municipality of Benaocaz. In order to secure a place on the bus, participants of the descent must be dressed as Romans!  These modern – and presumably peaceful - Roman legions are envisaged to arrive at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento at 9.00 pm, when the celebrations really start.

However, many visitors are eagerly anticipating the Roman market, which will open its stalls on the previous day, Friday 27th June at 6.00 pm at the Town Hall square, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. This event has been organised by Andalucía Medieval, already experts at creating medieval markets up and down the Costa del Sol. The highlight will be the march of the Cohors Praetoria Ocvritanorvm and the Legio X Eqvestris at 8.00 pm, who will join the street procession that leaves the Plaza de la Estrella and ends at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

Little Romans needn’t worry, their finest hour will come on the Sunday, when they meet for a street procession at noon, no doubt dressed in helmets and breast plates and armed to the teeth to enjoy their puppet show. The Roman festival will close with a spectacular fireworks display.

The ancient Roman footpath, which those early expats took, who settled at the Costa del Sol more than 2,000 years ago, commences at Benaocaz near the A-2302, conveniently close to a modern day bus stop. For those modern Roman participants who want to join the fun at Ubrique, the trail begins at the church of San Juan, where the footpath turns downhill and runs through a spectacular rocky landscape of limestone, gypsum and clay. Local walkers, visiting Romans and Marbella expats, will be able to enjoy breath-taking views across the Ubrique and Alta mountains.