Fair of Albacete

The Fair of Albacete is a circular fairground with concentric rings housing numerous commercial stands in a distinctive pan-shaped building. The layout creates different zones for regional products, local crafts, and traditional knives within interconnected curved spaces.

The fairground was inaugurated as a permanent structure in 1783, following a royal privilege granted by Felipe V in 1710. This royal backing transformed Albacete into an institutionalized trading center with a fixed location.

The fair celebrates the Virgen de Los Llanos through religious processions and floral tributes that are central to local identity and spiritual life. These traditions fill the grounds with devotional practices that blend everyday commerce with sacred customs rooted in the region's faith.

The grounds are most active during the September fair when regional goods and traditional crafts are on display throughout the rings. Allow time to walk through the interconnected circular spaces and explore what different vendor zones are presenting.

The building is known locally for its distinctive form called 'the Pan' or 'the Circles', a design that stands apart from typical European fairgrounds. This organic concentric layout was developed to optimize natural traffic flow and direct sightlines between commercial zones.