Teulada Moraira
'The Jewel in the Costa Blanca Crown'Moors and Christians
Teulada Moraira celebrates a number of Spanish Fiestas and Festivals. Amongst the most popular of these are the Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians) festivals. The Moors and Christians festivals are celebrated across Spain, but are most popular in the Marina Alta region of the Costa Blanca. They are held to celebrate and commemorate the battles between the Moors (Muslims) and the Christians during a period in history known as the Reconquista: from the 8th to the 15th century BC.
Moors and Christians - Image via Wikipedia
The Moors and Christians festivals reconstructs the time when the advancing Moors captured the city and the ensuing battles when the Christians took the city back. The festivals last for several days, with people acting out the battles, dressed in loud Medieval-style costumes: Christians dressed in fur, with metallic hats and riding horses, while the Moors are dressed in Arab-style costumes, carrying large swords and riding camels or elephants.
Moors and Christians - Image via Wikipedia
The festival starts with the Moors coming on-shore and battling with the locals. They proceed to attack the castles and force-out the Christians. The Christians then re-group and re-battle, this time, overpowering the Moors and taking the castle back. A Moors and Christians festival is typified with cannon-fire, very loud music and fireworks.
Moors and Christians Festivals – Dates and Times
Thursday 10th June
19.30 – Parade of the Filaes and the Official Start of the Moors and Christians Fiestas at the Castle.
22.00 – Collection of the Standard Bearers along with the Christians and Moorish Ambassadors.
22.45 – Presentation of the Standards of each group on the Castle Promenade then a disco.
Friday 11th June 2010
13.00 – Informal parade of the Filaes and firing of the Blunderbusses at the Castle.
19.00 – Procession and Offering of the Flowers in honour of the Sacred Christ of Moraira.
23.00 – The spectacular Landing of the Moors on the Beach and the Battle conquer the Castle.
Followed by the “Night of the Captains” with dancing till the early hours with the Band COMANCHE.
Saturday 12th June 2010
09.00 – General Wake- up with the firing of Blunderbusses.
11.00 – Informal Parade of the Filaes.
12.00 – Mass in the honor of Our Sacred Christ in the church of Moraira.
12.30 – Firing of the Blunderbusses at the Castle and informal parade of the Filaes.
19.30 – Battle on the beach and the Christians, retake the Castle
24.00 – Informal parade of the Festeros and the public all round the village. Everyone Welcome.
Sunday 13th June 2010
09.00 – General wake-up with the firing of Blunderbusses.
11.00 – Informal Parade of the Filaes and children’s activities.
13.00 – Informal parade of the Filaes followed by the firing of Blunderbusses at the Castle.
18.00 – Parade of the Music bands.
19.00 – Spectacular Gala Parade of all participating Moors and Christians and firework display.
[...] Moraira Teulada, Spanish Fiesta, Things To Do, Travel and Tourism, Valencian Community The Moors and Christians festival is one of the most popular Spanish festivals. Based on the ancient battles between the Moorish [...]