If February 14th was Valentine’s Day the 20th is celebrated in Teruel, Isabel’s wedding. Based on the story of the lovers of Teruel, the city moves to the Middle Ages and plays the famous wedding of the legend of the Lovers of Teruel.
The Lovers of Teruel (Los amantes de Teruel) is a romantic legend that is alleged to have taken place in the 13th century – in a small town called Teruel.
There were two important and wealthy families in the city of Teruel, the Marcillas’ and Seguras’. Diego was a Marcilla and Isabel a Segura.
The two fell in love as childhood playmates but when they were at an eligible age to get married, Diego’s family had fallen on hard times. Isabel’s father, being the most wealthy man in all of Teruel, forbid the marriage. Diego, however, was able to make an agreement with the father in which he would leave Teruel for five years to try and build up his fortune. If Diego was able to gain wealth within those five years he would be able to marry his beloved, Isabel.
Diego was not heard from in five years and on the day of the fifth year past, Isabel’s father married her to Don Pedro de Azagra from Albarracín.
Right after the wedding ceremony there was a commotion at the Zaragoza gate. The watchmen informed the village that Diego Marcilla had returned with great riches and with the intent of marrying Isabel. Diego had not counted the day in which he petitioned Isabel’s father whereas the Seguras had. Diego ran to the feet of Isabel and pleaded her to marry him. Isabel refused, for it was impossible; she had already gotten married. Then Diego pleaded for just one kiss so that at least he could go on in the world, but Isabel refused.
Upon hearing this Diego could not bear the separation between himself and his love, and with a sigh he died on the feet of his beloved Isabel. The next day, during the funeral for Diego Marcilla, Isabel showed up dressed in her wedding dress. She proceeded to walk to the front of the church and place a kiss on the man whom she had refused but in doing so Isabel died, falling prostrate on the body of the man whom she loved.
This unlucky event happened in 1217, being judge in Teruel Don Domingo Celadas.
Today it is possible to visit Isabel and Diego in the Mausoleum of the Iglesia de San Pedro. Two young people who, back in the beginnings of the 13th century lived an impossible love, giving rise “to the most beautiful story of love of all the times”, according to the poet Federico Teeth.
Opening hours of the Mausoleum: 10h. – 14h. & 16h. – 20h. Uninterrupted in August
The Legend of the Lovers of Teruel, Spain: Fact or Fiction?…it’s a wonderful party