Modern Day Medieval Communities

[Sparrowhawk]

I don't usually venture into OT, but I have one of those questions I don't know how to google.........in those instances I usually ask in O/T. Someone is sure to know (and even though I usually get a little flamed for being an idiot for asking the question, at least I get the answer ).

Anyhow, on to my question.............

Here in Canada I travel quite a bit and have been to a number of "Historical Communities". Not sure the correct term, but what I mean is a community where they try to give a historical representation of some time period in the past (usually in my case they are the late 1800's...."the Wild West"). Usually with people in costume acting out a role: the blacksmith, the innkeeper, etc. There are usually street plays and the like to give a better idea of what life was like in that particular time period.

Anyhow, what I would like to know is if there are any "Medieval" places of the same type (likely in Europe??). Perhaps with an earlier time period........say 1100 - 1800?

If you know more then a location that would be helpful, and actual experience travelling to one would be great, as would links to websites if applicable.

Thanks in advance to all of you for your help and for not flaming me of course

/me

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Pretty much anyplace in Afghanistan should work for you...

[:) Smiley]

In the US (and possibly Canada) we have Renaissance Fair and the Society for Creative Anachronism.

[SlowwHand]

http://dallas.about.com/cs/events/a/scarborough.htm

http://www.faires.com/EventRecord.php?Id=79

[OzzyKP]

The US has several. I think there is something like that at Jamestown (or Williamsburg or somewhere) of the colonial days in the 1600's. I know my hometown of Holland, MI does something about the early dutch settlers, but only the mid-1800's for that.

[OzzyKP]

I don't think he means Reinassance fairs, but something closer to Colonial Williamsburg:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonial_Williamsburg

A main source of tourism to Williamsburg, Virginia and the surrounding area, visitors can witness a tree lined interpretation of a Colonial American city with exhibits including dozens of authentic colonial homes, American Revolutionary War history exhibits, and the town jail, which includes an authentic stocks and pillory display. Other notable structures include the large Capitol and the Governor's Palace, each carefully reconstructed and landscaped as closely as possible to original 18th century specifications. Dependency structures and animals help complete the ambiance.

One of the most unusual things about visiting Colonial Williamsburg is that costumed interpreters work, dress, and talk as they did in the era, teaching visitors more about the site, and life in the period represented. Although modern transportation is close by, the tourists themselves are virtually the only things visible that vary from what a day "back in the day" may have really looked and been like.

[SlowwHand]

Where do Amish live? Go there.

[Flip McWho]

Society for Creative Anachronism

I love that name

[BeBMan]

Re: Modern Day Medieval Communities

Originally posted by Sparrowhawk
I don't usually venture into OT, but I have one of those questions I don't know how to google.........in those instances I usually ask in O/T. Someone is sure to know (and even though I usually get a little flamed for being an idiot for asking the question, at least I get the answer ).

Anyhow, on to my question.............

Here in Canada I travel quite a bit and have been to a number of "Historical Communities". Not sure the correct term, but what I mean is a community where they try to give a historical representation of some time period in the past (usually in my case they are the late 1800's...."the Wild West"). Usually with people in costume acting out a role: the blacksmith, the innkeeper, etc. There are usually street plays and the like to give a better idea of what life was like in that particular time period.

Anyhow, what I would like to know is if there are any "Medieval" places of the same type (likely in Europe??). Perhaps with an earlier time period........say 1100 - 1800?

If you know more then a location that would be helpful, and actual experience travelling to one would be great, as would links to websites if applicable.

During summer, they often have "medieval festivals" in many locations here, mainly in real castles. There are usually tournaments with people acting as knights and crowds in medieval costumes, medieval markets, medieval food, music, work etc.

I remember vagualy tv reports about reconstructed medieval villages in northern Germany (as you said with lots of people there demonstrating how life was the in the middle ages, or at least how they think it was) that you can visit but unfortunately I don't recall where exactly that is.....

[Kontiki]

Carcassonne in France comes pretty close to what you describe. I'm not sure how you figure the 1800s, or even colonial North America qualify as "medieval", which is a time period generally accepted to have ended around 1450.

http://www.carcassonne.org/

[pchang]

Try Excaliber in Las Vegas

[TheStinger]

Hull

[Aabraxan]

Run a search on "open air museum."

[lord of the mark]

the word youre looking for is "living history" I think.

A good example is Plimouth Plantation. Unlike Colonial Williamsburgh, the folks there dont just dress up, but actually take on the roles of specific individuals and stay in character.

[VetLegion]

There are a couple of those performance thingies in Croatia. This one for example:

http://www.rab-supetarska.com/fjera.htm