Saint George Night
On April the 22th night, Cáceres retruns to its muslim period when
the city was reconquered by the Christian army. The Moors and Christians battle
and the dragon burning in the Plaza Mayor (main squarere) are the most attractive
aspects of this magical night.

Legend has it that in the 12th century ,when Cáceres
was named Alqazires, it was governed by an important
and powerful muslim gentleman. Christians were trying to reconquer the city
for their Castillian sovereign. Those were hard times and to carry out such
task was dangerous.
The landlord has a really beautiful daughter, she was known
in the whole muslim territory. Her father had tried to wed her with handsome
and rich suitors, but she always explained that because of her strong religious
beliefs she did not want to get married. The true reason was she was deeply
in love with a Christian captain, however their beliefs forced them to live
their passion secretly.
Time passed and the battle was turning more savage and fierce
and the lovers had to wait much time to meet. The beautiful city of Alqazires
turned out sad and ugly and its inhabitantants were surrounded by war feelings.
One day the young girl was arranged to meet her lover, scared she accepted.
Meeting him meant to betray her father, her city and her people.
When Christians entered in Cáceres the whole city was
devastated. At that instant the lord discovered his own daughter's betrayal.
She confesed her fault and her father was so shocked that he promised her the
cruelest punishment.
How the girl was punished is today a mystery. Rumuours has that
the muslim lord knew withcraft formulae, he used them to turn her into a hen.
Others has that she was tied to cistern's columns to died drowned.
The celebration of the San Jorge,
patron siant of Cáceres, has progressed until today. April the 22th night
in the Plaza Mayor (main square) are held the
fight of Moors and Christians and the dragon burning, which simbolizes the devastating
fire. Besides, to remeber the young lady who was changed into a hen, two gold
eggs are hidden in the old part of the town, those who find them are prizewinning.

The feast ends with a civic procession on 23rd morning. Saint
George's banner is one of the oldest and best preserved militar banners.
The procession leaves the City Council and reaches Santa María Con-Cathedral.