There are many beautiful medieval castles in Spain, but they all have one drawback: life in them stopped many years ago, and it takes a wild imagination or an excellent guide to see the Middle Ages all around. But if you're travelling with a child in Tenerife, take a trip to Castillo San Miguel for a jousting tournament. Meeting a king, a spectacular duel of knights and an unforgettable dinner — it's not often you get to participate in such an adventure!
San Miguel Castle is a replica of a real ancient fortress. As you approach, you'll hear the cheers of the fans waiting for the knights to arrive. At the castle gate, you will be greeted by the guards, who will give you a cloak of a specific colour and send you off to cheer on one of the knights. The way to the stands is through the armoury, where samples of medieval-edged weapons are displayed, shields, armour and helmets.
It is interesting to guess what each knight will choose for the duel. By the way, jousting spears and swords differed from combat — the duel was supposed to be spectacular but relatively safe for its participants.
The knights' tournament at San Miguel Castle is a ceremony. The king welcomes all visitors before the tournament begins. Then six knights enter the ring (it's a good time to check the colour of their cloaks and see who needs cheering and applause). They will fight each other and show off their riding skills, shoot at targets and perhaps even get a lady of the heart and dedicate their exploits to her.
There's plenty to do at the tournament: bravery, nobility, jokes and sneakiness. At the end of the battles, the audience will choose the cleverest, noblest and most successful knight. This is an especially memorable event in Tenerife if your caballero wins!
Before the tournament, everyone can have their photo taken with the knights, their squires and other colourful characters. At the end of the tournament, you can enjoy a dinner. You will be served dishes prepared according to medieval recipes. Don't expect them to bring you forks and knives; you ate with your hands in those days. Children will likely forget modern table manners and may even eat foods they don't normally eat.
An excursion to San Miguel Castle in Tenerife is perfect for families with school kids who've already read about knights. As the show takes place late at night and is a boisterous event, we recommend not taking the little ones with you, unlike the knights' tournament in Benidorm.
