The 425º Anniversary conmemorating the battle of El Batán – Santa Brígida

Under the name  ‘Battle of Batán. Santa Brígida, land of braves’,  the  City Council of the Villa de Santa Brígida has scheduled a series of events to commemorate the 425th anniversary of the most important feat in the military history of the Canary Islands. An episode of heroic resistance by the local inhabitants against the invading forces, in the place of El Batán, the scene of the bloody siege that took place on 3 July, 1599.

El Batán in 1599, witnessed the burgeoning population of the island, including natives and colonial settlers, supported by a handful of militiamen, fighting alongside the military authorities of the time, managing to repel an attack by the Dutch fleet, commanded by Vice-Admiral Pieter Van der Does, known more as a pirate around these parts.

The 6th edition of this Historical Reenactment of the Batalla del Batán is held in the Finca El Galeón, an infrastructure for public use in the municipality of Santa Brígida 29-30 June. 

A festive atmosphere will make an interpretative show of what life was like at the end of the 16th century on Gran Canaria by Adhica association.
Anyone can participate, either as a spectator or as an extra, wearing period costumes, and demonstrating livelihoods and music of the time. Members of the public can visit the camp, where an exhibition of historical clothes, renaissance dancing and micro scenes will be to educate and surprise. There is a place to have a picnic as well as nice gastronomy on offer. Experience small fragments of what happened in the victory over the Dutch troops.

🗓️ Saturday, June 29 (Finca El Galeón)

10:15 Walk through Santa Brígida
11:00 Opening of the camp
11:15 A prayer for the wounded and that the island does not fall into heretical hands
11:30 Weapons and armor of the time
11:45 Field hospital: the surgeon-barber will care for the wounded.
12:30 Canarian Romanceros: Cantar de Dramas
12:45 Washerwomen
13:00 ‘Stories of the invasion’, by Alex Hansen Machín
13:30 Food and drinks in the Renaissance
Closing the camp from 14:00-16:00

16:00 Opening of the camp again
16:15 Hospitalito: care for the wounded
16:30 Weapons and armor
17:00 Canarian stick fighting demonstration
17:30 Dances and Renaissance dance workshop for everyone
Closing the camp at 18:30

Saturday 29 June:
Theatrical performance of ‘The Battle of Batán ‘

• Time: 21:00
• Place: from Calle Tenderete to the Plaza de la Iglesia.
• Description: Play written by Luis O’Malley, directed by Raguel Santana and performed by the students of the Santa Brígida Theater Workshop .