A visit to the Museum of the Fairs, in Medina del Campo
Discover a unique museum in Spain that illustrates the history of trade and financial fairs in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Facade of the Museum of Fairs (Circa1510)Museum of the Fairs Foundation - Simón Ruiz Archive
The church of San Martín, home of the museum
This church, home to the Museo de las Ferias since 2000, was founded in 1512 by the Ribera Medina family, courtiers of the Catholic Monarchs. Its main chapel is covered by an extraordinary Mudejar ceiling and has an octagonal floor plan.
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Get to know the museum from the inside!
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Chapter I: Merchandise fairs
The fairs of Medina del Campo began in the early 15th century under the rule of Fernando de Antequera. This room reflects the trade in linen, lace and embroidery, everyday items, as well as printed books and local and imported gold and silverware.
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These fairs were an important commercial centre for art imports during the 16th century. In the old main chapel, Castilian, Flemish and Italian works are exhibited, as well as those brought from overseas via the "Galeón de Manila". The ceiling of this room is spectacular - look up!
Interior of the Museum of Fairs (Circa1510)Museum of the Fairs Foundation - Simón Ruiz Archive
Sculptures by Egas Cueman or Juan de Juni, painted panels by Adriaen Isenbrandt or Marcellus Cofferman, ivory Christs from India and the Philippines or reliefs from Brabant are some of the masterpieces in this space that should not be missed.
The presence in Medina of this Flemish triptych in the collection of Simón Ruiz is further proof of the active artistic trade with the Netherlands, which had one of its main centres in the town.
This praying alabaster sculpture of Lope de Barrientos, bishop of Segovia, Ávila and Cuenca, was made by Egas Cueman around 1447-1454. Experts consider it to be the oldest representation of a praying figure from the late Gothic period.
Interior of the Museum of Fairs (Circa1510)Museum of the Fairs Foundation - Simón Ruiz Archive
Chapter II: Trade fairs and finance
This space displays account books and documents used by merchants in their financial operations. Also on display are instruments typical of a businessman's trousseau: scales, weights, money changer's boxes, jetons, trading stamps, etc.
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At the end of the 15th century, the Medina fairs were declared "General Fairs of the Kingdom". They also became payment fairs, with a great deal of financial and monetary business: credits and loans, currency exchanges, compensation or payment of bills of exchange.
Interior of the Museum of Fairs (Circa1510)Museum of the Fairs Foundation - Simón Ruiz Archive
Chapter III: Simón Ruiz: merchant, banker and founder
The figure of Simón Ruiz (1525-1597) has not been sufficiently publicised as he deserves. His intense professional activity began as a cloth merchant with Brittany, but he became involved in the high finances of the Spanish Crown.
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This last area of the museum reflects the importance of Simón Ruiz's "last business": the foundation of a General Hospital in Medina del Campo. On display are portraits and praying sculptures of him and his wives, as well as original works from the hospital itself.
Interior of the Museum of Fairs (Circa1510)Museum of the Fairs Foundation - Simón Ruiz Archive
These praying sculptures were made by Pedro de la Cuadra and Francisco Rincón between 1598 and 1600. They represent Simón Ruiz himself and his two wives: María de Montalvo and Mariana de Paz.
Interior of the Museum of Fairs (Circa1510)Museum of the Fairs Foundation - Simón Ruiz Archive
This sculpture of the Pietà is of special importance for the artistic heritage of Medina del Campo as it is one of the few testimonies that have survived to the present day of the Hospital de la Piedad y San Antonio Abad, an institution founded in 1454.
Museum of the Fairs - Simón Ruiz Archive
Medina del Campo
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