On this Monday, Borja López, the Councilor of Historical Recreation; Manuel Olaya, the president of the Almansa 1707 Association; Fran Valera, the vice president of the Albacete Provincial Council; and Pilar Callado, the mayor of Almansa, presented the official program of the 318th anniversary of the international historical reenactment of the Battle of Almansa, which will take place from April 25 to 27, 2025.
The new edition of the reenactment will feature programs translated into six languages: Spanish, English, Italian, German, French, and Valencian, a addition that has been maintained since last year. Additionally, the creation of a program in «easy reading» in collaboration with the Department of Social Services and Asprona has been announced to facilitate access to information for people with cognitive disabilities.
This year, the reenactment of the Battle of Almansa will feature a historically significant element: a cannon from 1793, cast during the era of the first Bourbons. This piece, considered the largest cannon manufactured in Spain, comes from the Museum of the Royal Artillery Factory of Cantabria and rarely leaves its location due to its weight and complexity in transportation. Its presence in Almansa is an exceptional event, as it is only displayed in solemn ceremonies. As part of the event, two shots will be fired with this cannon, one on Saturday and another on Sunday, marking key moments of the reenactment.
The program will kick off on Thursday, April 24, with the opening of an exhibition titled «Marshals of France 1680-1715,» presented by historians Herminio Gómez and Eduard Beneyto.
On Friday, April 25, the day will start with the traditional ringing of bells and the opening of the baroque market, which will be set up in Plaza de Santa María, Calle Aragón, and Plaza de las Agustinas. Throughout the weekend, guided tours of the historic center and the battlefield will be available.
Saturday, April 26, will see the opening of military camps, with authorities and the president of the 1707 Association visiting the troops. As a novelty, a Te Deum will be celebrated at the Church of the Assumption, in collaboration with the Association of Shepherds and the Association of the Virgin, to commemorate the historical moment when the Vitorero announced the end of the battle to the inhabitants of Almansa.
In the afternoon, at 6:00 p.m., the first of the two reenactments on the battlefield will take place. As part of the special events, an honor salute is planned, which will be detailed by the organization in the coming days.
On Sunday, April 27, the historical camps will reopen at 10:00 a.m., and a troops parade will take place to the castle stairs, where the traditional flag hoisting will be held. The second reenactment will take place in the afternoon, with an increase in the seating capacity, totaling 3,750 seats, adding 375 additional seats per day.
Manuel Olaya, the president of the Historical Almansa 1707 Association, highlighted that over 400 reenactors are expected to participate, with the addition of seven artillery pieces, a unprecedented number in Almansa. Additionally, the presence of around 30 horses is anticipated, enhancing the spectacle of the reenactment.
Fran Valera, the vice president of the Albacete Provincial Council, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to the reenactment, emphasizing its importance as a tourist and cultural driver of the province. «This event is a historical and tourist reference, and we will continue to support it with a contribution of 25,000 euros,» stated Valera.
Mayor Pilar Callado expressed gratitude for the efforts of all those involved and highlighted the importance of the new features in this edition. Among them, she emphasized the arrival of a large historical cannon with a high powder loading capacity, coming from the Museum of the Royal Artillery Factory of La Cavada (Cantabria).
FUENTE