Historical Re-enactment in Loja: Isabella II and the Bread and Cheese Revolution
Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026 · Historic centre of Loja (Granada)
For one weekend, central Loja steps back to the mid-19th century. Locals and re-enactors in period costume take over the squares to stage two episodes that shaped the town: Queen Isabella II's visit and the outbreak of the 1861 Bread and Cheese Revolution.
This is not a show inside a venue: the action moves between Plaza de la Constitución, the Town Hall — the old Narváez Palace —, the historic tavern and the surrounding streets, so you can keep strolling and combine it with a normal visit to the town.
What the weekend re-enacts
Queen Isabella II's visit
The first storyline rebuilds a royal visit to Loja: the procession welcoming Isabella II of Bourbon, the official reception in the courtyard of the Narváez Palace — today the Town Hall —, General Narváez's speech from the balcony and the ballroom dance in her honour. This is official Loja, the town in its finest dress.
The Bread and Cheese Revolution (1861)
The second storyline is the opposite: the 1861 peasant uprising known as the Bread and Cheese Revolution, led by the Loja-born veterinarian Rafael Pérez del Álamo. The re-enactment runs through the rumours at the pastry shop, the oath at the Secret Society of the Frontier, the duel with Carlos Marfori, the proclamation of the revolt with bread and cheese handed out, the skirmish and the final dispersal.
Dates and overall timings
Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026. Saturday carries the longer programme, with both morning and evening scenes; on Sunday the whole re-enactment plays out in the morning.
Saturday 19 programme
- 10:00Free guided tour: “Loja in the mid-19th century”. Advance booking required.
- 11:00Opening of the event with a welcome from the Mayor of Loja, Joaquín Ordóñez Gámez.Plaza de la Constitución
- 11:15Welcoming procession of the people of Loja greeting Isabella II of Bourbon.Starts at Plaza de la Constitución, stops at the Casino and ends at the Town Hall square
- 12:00Official reception and Loja's welcome to Her Majesty.Inner courtyard of the Narváez Palace, today the Town Hall
- 12:30General Narváez's speech and the Queen's thanks to the people of Loja.Palace balcony, today the Town Hall
- 13:00Ballroom dance in honour of Her Majesty the Queen.Town Hall plenary chamber
- 14:00Dining hour: traditional wines at the historic tavern and lunch in Loja's bars and restaurants.
- 17:30Tasting of Loja's traditional pastry, with rumours and gossip about a peasant revolt and a secret society.Santa Teresa pastry shop, Plaza de la Constitución
- 18:00Duel challenge between Rafael Pérez del Álamo and Carlos Marfori.Fountain in Plaza de la Constitución
- 18:20Oath and reading of duties by a new member of the Secret Society of the Frontier.Historic tavern, Plaza de la Constitución
- 18:40Pistol duel between Pérez del Álamo and a supporter of Don Carlos Marfori.
- 19:00Proclamation of the revolt, with bread and cheese handed out, cheers and songs.Plaza de la Constitución
- 19:30Brief skirmish between the rebels, soldiers and government supporters.Plaza de la Constitución
- 20:00Rebels dispersed, arrests and the end of the conflict.Plaza de la Constitución
- 20:00Tapas hour in Loja's bars and restaurants.
Sunday 20 programme
- 10:00Free guided tour: “Loja in the mid-19th century”. Advance booking required.
- 11:15Welcoming procession of the people of Loja greeting Isabella II of Bourbon.Starts at Plaza de la Constitución, stops at the Casino and ends at the Town Hall square
- 12:00General Narváez's speech and the Queen's thanks to the people of Loja.Palace balcony, today the Town Hall
- 12:15Ballroom dance in honour of Her Majesty the Queen.Town Hall plenary chamber
- 12:30Tasting of Loja's traditional pastry.Santa Teresa pastry shop, Plaza de la Constitución
- 13:00Oath and reading of duties by a new member of the Secret Society of the Frontier.Historic tavern, Plaza de la Constitución
- 13:15Proclamation of the revolt, with bread and cheese handed out, cheers and songs.Plaza de la Constitución
- 13:30Brief skirmish between the rebels, soldiers and government supporters.Plaza de la Constitución
- 13:45Rebels dispersed, arrests and the end of the conflict.Plaza de la Constitución
- 14:00Dining hour in Loja's bars and restaurants.
Times are approximate
The programme itself warns that times are approximate and may shift depending on how events unfold. Arrive a few minutes early for the scene you care about most.
When re-enactors are out in the streets
- Saturday: 11:00 to 14:00 and 17:30 to 20:00
- Sunday: 11:00 to 14:00
Where each scene happens
Everything sits within a short walk, inside Loja's historic centre. These are the settings named in the programme:
- Plaza de la Constitución: opening, duels, proclamation of the revolt and the final skirmish.
- Town Hall, the former Narváez Palace: courtyard reception, balcony speech and dance in the plenary chamber.
- Casino de Loja: stop on the royal procession.
- Santa Teresa pastry shop, on Plaza de la Constitución: tasting of the traditional pastry.
- Historic tavern, on Plaza de la Constitución: wine, oaths and conspiracy.
- Bars and restaurants in the centre: dining hour and evening tapas.
What is free
The guided tours “Loja in the mid-19th century” are announced as free with advance booking. The published programme gives no price for the rest of the scenes, which take place in open squares and streets. Tastings, wine and meals depend on each business.
Guided tours and booking
There is one free guided tour each day, at 10:00, devoted to Loja in the mid-19th century. Advance booking is required:
If you are in Loja that weekend
The re-enactment stays in the centre, so the free hours work well for climbing to the Alcazaba, walking the old quarter or stopping at the viewpoints. Between scenes, the centre's tapas bars are a couple of minutes away, and it is worth sorting out parking early because the central squares fill up.
Quick facts
Programme taken from the poster circulated for these days. It may change: check Loja Turismo's official channels before travelling.
常见问题
A weekend of re-enactment in central Loja where locals and period re-enactors stage Queen Isabella II's visit and the 1861 Bread and Cheese Revolution.