The spectacular Moors and Christians fiestas!

If you happen to drive through Teulada and Moraira at the minute you may get stuck in traffic, and if you live here in the Marina Alta you will know that this is a very unusual occurrance. The only acceptable reason (according to the locals) for hold ups and town centres to be closed, is fiestas. The reason for our delay at the weekend, on our way out to lunch, was; Moraira is in the middle of the famous festival of the “Moros y Cristianos”.

This festival is staged in all of the larger coastal towns in Valencia and Alicante, at various times of the year. Moraira holds theirs from the 4-15th June. 

The history of the festivals dates back to the 16th century. They were held to remind the people of the “Reconquista”. This was the reconquest of these lands in the 13th century, when the Christians took Valencia back from the Moors of Africa. 

Spain is still a very religious country and the festival is seen as a thanksgiving to the God and the patron saint of the town, for the return of the Christian church.

The festival is an extravanganza of colour, parades of locals dressed in elaborate costumes, medieval and Moorish music, battle re-enactments, theatrical productions and, of course, fireworks and gunpowder blasts! There is an expert eye to detail and no expense spared in the design of the costumes. The first event is a procession through the town of the Moorish and Christian armies arriving to battle, accompanied by a marching band. There are people on horseback, dancers and Barbary pirates. 

One of the reenactments is a staged production of the Peace Treaty which was signed by both armies. The ceasefire is broken by the Moors and fighting breaks out. This can be very dramatic, with guns being fired and those taking part fully immersed in their charcters. 

Some of the most spectacular re-enactments take place at sea. This sea battle is in Vllajoyosa, one of the best festivals to witness, especially for tourists!

On the last day of the festival the two armies face each other and the battle begins. Legend has it that a mysterious fog from the sea descended over the Moorish army which helped the Christian army to defeat them. This is acted out and the celebrations really begin, which brings the fiesta to its conclusion. It is an amazing spectacle!

The team here at Jacaranda Spain try to attend at least one of the regions Moors and Christians festivals. We would highly recommend a trip to Moraira this weekend to enjoy being a part of this magical event. If not, Benissa hold their festival at the end of June, Villajoyosa is the last week of July and Denia is 13-16 August.