Round Town: Local News Benidorm, Alfaz, Altea.

If you have not heard of it before, the moors and Christians, (or Moros y Cristianos in Spanish), is a reenactment of battles that took place in Spain centuries ago, when the Muslims that had come from N.Africa, were expulsed from the country, by the Christian forces.These fiestas are celebrated in several regions of Spain, but happily for us in this area, we have some of the best! If fact, the first recorded fiestas of Moros y Cristianos, was in Lérida, in the year 1150, and they have official recognition, and protection.   The biggest, are the fiestas in Alcoy, (inland from us, held in the spring), but of the ones that are situated in coastal towns, Villajoiosa and Altea are the best.

This year the fiestas in Altea are programmed to start on the 13^th of September, and to go on until the 5^th of October!   Phew!!!!                                                                      

The proceedings are set around an established formula, basically the Muslim forces take over the town, (usually represented by a temporary castle, erected in a prominent position), then the Christian forces, battle them, to eject them again.

Of course, before all this starts, we have grand parades, where the opposing sides parade through the town, showing off their elaborate costumes!

The “Christian forces”, have costumes of a mixture of fur, leather and armour, whilst the “Muslim forces” wear ancient Arabic style clothes, and twirl around huge scimitars, and axes!! The costumes are incredibly detailed, and cost an absolute fortune.

All this is set to the sound of music from specialist bands that play period music, at a volume that you can feel through your very soul…Its stirring stuff!

(It’s easy to pick out the Arabic sources in much of the music).                              

My favourite, is the evening procession,” the entrance of the moors” a chance to see all of the dozens of groups of “Moorish troops” as they swagger their way into town.                            

Of course, the battles between the “Moors”, that start off in the castle, and the “Christians” that eventually chuck them out, go for several days, (and nights!!), but eventually, as happens every year, the Christians win, and take over the castle, to huge cheering from everyone present!

Naturally, vast quantities of gunpowder is used to achieve this, it’s said that we use more gunpowder in the Valencian region, than the rest of Spain put together!

(Not very “P.C” is it, can you imagine this fiesta in Britain?!?) But hey Ho, this is Spain, Spain is different as they say!                                             

If you fancy witnessing this incredible spectacle, you can get to Altea, by train from Benidorm, by number 10 bus, which picks up all over town at 15 minute intervals, or of course by taxi.

Take our word for it, its well worth it.!

» MULTIMEDIA :

»Share this notice :