The Moors and Christians Festival will begin in Villajoyosa on July 24

From July 24 to 31, the grand Moors and Christians Festival (Fiestas de Moros y Cristianos) will be held in Villajoyosa (Alicante, Valencia). For eight days, the city will go back in time to recreate the great battle that took place in 1538. More than 250 years ago, Barbary pirates led by Zalle Arraez attempted to capture Villajoyosa by sea. But Saint Martha saved the inhabitants of the ancient city by causing a flood. It destroyed enemy ships and prevented the Moors from reaching the shore. As a token of gratitude, the townspeople named Marta their patroness and since then have held holidays in her honor every year.

On July 19, a Children’s Parade was held in the city, and on the 21st a concert took place in the hall of the Barbera de los Aragonés estate. The festival itself starts on July 24. It will begin with a procession of orchestras that will play all 8 days. Their performance at Barbera de los Aragonés will end with a mascleta, which will mark the beginning of the celebration.

On July 25 and 26, parades of Moors and Christians will take place. Both armies, dressed in colorful costumes, will march from Calle Colón along Avenida del País Valencià to Plaza Generalitat.

On July 27 at 18:00, processions of fishermen, sailors and pirates will proceed along Avenida del Varadero to the port, and an army of Christians will go to the beach at 19:00 to defend the castle. Despite their desperate resistance, the Moors reach the fortress and capture it. At 21:00 there will be a presentation of the Moorish troops to their King, to whom they promise to conquer the city.

On July 28, the highlight of the festival will take place – a re-enactment of the legendary landing of the Moors.

Even before dawn, at 3:00 the Moorish army will march along Avenida Varadero to the port. At 5:00 the army of Christians will descend to their camp. In an hour the alarm will sound and the Moors will begin their attack from the sea.

In the evening, both armies will gather again near the castle. At 21:00 the reconquista will begin – Christian troops will recapture the fortress. After the end of the battle, the artillery will fire 21 honorary shots to proclaim St. Martha’s Day. Then all those present will go to church for a thanksgiving mass.

On July 29, Villajoyosa celebrates Saint Martha’s Day. Solemn masses will take place at 12:00 and 19:00 in the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. And at 20:00 a procession in honor of the patroness of the city will begin. The culmination of the holiday will be fireworks on the beach.

On July 30, Villajoyosa will host a traditional paella competition on Avenida de Benidorm. And the next day, a Children’s Parade of Swimmers will take place along the streets of Ciudad de Requena, Colón, Avenida del País Valenciano, Pizarro, Avenida Juan Carlos I and Hermanos Aragonés.

The detailed program of Moors and Christians Festival can be found on the official website of Asociación Santa Marta.

The festivals of the Moors and Christians are some of the most vibrant and interesting in Spain. They take place not only in Villajoyosa, but also in other regions of the country – in Murcia, Castilla la Mancha, Andalusia, Aragon, the Basque Country, Galicia, the Valencian Community, as well as the Canary and Balearic Islands.

 

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Photo from associaciosantamarta.org