Every September, Aranjuez comes alive with the celebrations of the ‘Fiestas del Motín de Aranjuez’ - the 1808 Riot of Aranjuez Festival. It’s one of the biggest events of the year in Aranjuez, with historical reenactments, theatre, parades and music.

The Mutiny of Aranjuez

Alfonso Moreno is a local actor who plays Prime Minister Manuel de Godoy's role in the historical recreation of the 1808 Riot of Aranjuez, which takes place every September during the Mutiny Festival. These festivities have been declared Festivals of International Tourist Interest. Here, Alfonso provides you with an overview of how this major historic riot came to be.

Alfonso explains the historical context that led the people of Aranjuez to revolt against the French troops that occupied Spain in the early nineteenth century.

As Alfonso tells, Spain was suffering from an economic crisis which was heightened after Spain lost its navy in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Under the terms of the Treaty of Fontainebleau, the King Carlos IV and Godoy had allowed French Emperor Napoleon's troops to cross Spain to attack Portugal, an ally of England at the time. This move was extremely unpopular with the Spanish people. This situation also threatened the continuity of the Spanish Monarchy, especially that of the descendant of Carlos IV, his son Fernando - who had wanted to take his father's seat on the throne.

Fall and imprisonment of the Prince of Peace. Engraved by Francisco de Paula Martí and drawn by Zacarías Velázquez (1814)

What followed was the "El Motín de Aranjuez", which ended with the capture and exile of Godoy and the abdication of Carlos IV in favour of his son.