The Moors and Christians Festival
If you are visiting Moraira in June, you are in luck! The city hosts its biggest Fiesta of the year.
Officially the celebration lasts for three days: The Conquista, The Reconquista and the Grand Parade. However, the party goes on for nearly two weeks with daily processions, live music, fireworks, giant paellas, unlimited drinks and mascletas ! Want to find out more about the Moors and Christian Festival in Moraira? Follow our guide!
The History behind the Moors and Christians Festival in Moraira
The Moors and Christians Festival is an ancient Spanish tradition that dates back to the 14th and 15th century. The celebrations commemorates the war between Christian Soldiers and Moorish invaders during the end of the 13th century. They are especially popular in our area as the Moorish invasion was more widespread between Alicante and Valencia.
The Christian Army was first crushed by the Moors who established their rule over the area. Their influence can still be seen in some of the local architecture and area names (Alcazar, Benimeit, Benidoleig etc). These events are part of the Conquista reenactment. Later on, although outnumbered, Christians soldiers managed to take back the area and rid the region from the threat of Moorish invaders. This part is called the Reconquista. The Castle of Moraira and the Torre de la Vigia are part of the defense mechanisms built during that time to protect the coast.
For more information you can also read this article on Spaininfo.com : READ ARTICLE
The importance of Moors and Christians in Moraira
Although most people only get to see the explosive fiesta during this three-day celebration, a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to get everything ready. Locals meet in “filas”, teams with a specific name, leaders and headquarters. Half of them represent the Moorish side, Half of them the Christian side. Filas are usually gender-separated although nowadays we do see mixed teams. They meet all year to raise money through different events, work on their costumes and rehearse their grand Parade.
More than just a party, this festival is an event that brings local villages together to try to outshine previous year’s parades. There is also a fierce competition between villages to host the most exuberant, luxurious and impressive show.
Program of the 2021 Festival (to be confirmed)
SATURDAY 8th
- 12h00 : Parade of the Filas in all of Moraira, live music
- 21h30: Parade from the El Portet Road to the Castle with live music
- 22h00 : Official inauguration of the Festival with all the Filas on the castle Square and live concert of “Ibiza“
THURSDAY 13th
- 20h00 : Drawing competition, concert by “Colla del Falco” and proclamation of the Fiestas
- 21h30: All the Filas get together on Calle Doctor Calatayud for a giant dinner and party
FRIDAY 14th
- 13h00 : Parade from the Portet Road to the Castle and live music
- 13h30: Firing of muskets and canons on the Castle Square – bring earplugs 😉
- 19h30 : Flower Parade – Children bring flowers to the Virgen
- 23h00 : Conquest of the Castle by the Moorish Filas ( battle display on the beach and fireworks)
SATURDAY 15th
- 11h00: Parade in the streets of Moraira
- 12h00 : Mass in Moraira’s Church
- 13h00: Firing of muskets and canons on the Castle Square – bring earplugs 😉
- 20h00 : The Christians Filas take back the castle in an impressive battle display
- 23h00 : The whole city joins the parade to the Portet Road were “Orquestra Maxima” will be playing all night
SUNDAY 16th
- 08h00 : The Filas Wake up the city by firing their muskets accompanied by a brass band
- 12h00: Parade in the streets of Moraira
- 19h00: Brass band Parades
- 20h00 : The Main Parade with all the Filas in costume, dancers, fire-eater, horses, acrobats etc. This lasts for 2-3 hours
- 23h30 : Closing ceremony and Fireworks
Want a sneak peek of what the Moors and Christians Festival is like in Moraira? Watch this video by Alain Leclerq and find out !
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