Generalized symmetric spaces and minimal models

We prove that any compact simply connected manifold carrying a structure of Riemannian 3- or 4-symmetric space is formal in the sense of Sullivan. This result generalizes Sullivan's classical theorem on the formality of symmetric spaces, but the proof is of a different nature, since for generalized symmetric spaces techniques based on the Hodge theory do not work. We use the Thomas theory of minimal models of fibrations and the classification of 3- and 4-symmetric spaces.