Salamanca information
Ciudad Rodrigo: La Charrada
La Charrada is perhaps one of the most impressive
festivals of those held in Ciudad Rodrigo. A real spectacle founded
on traditional folk music, costumes and dress. The festival has
been declared of touristic interest in Castilla y León,
and is the biggest representation and expression of Salamancan
folklore. It always coincides with the festival of Holy Saturday
(Sábado Santo), also called Saturday of Glory (Sábado
de Gloria).
It mainly takes place in the Plaza Mayor, where folk groups gather
from all over the Ciudad Rodrigo area, the province of Charra,
and other points of Spain and Portugal. On this day every corner
of Ciudad Rodrigo is converted into a spectacle, and it is not
surprising to bump into people at every step dancing to the sound
of pipes and showing off the colour of their clothes. During the
celebrations, which officially start in the afternoon, a person
or institution is awarded the Charra oak for their work for the
music of Salamanca.