The fiesta of the Moors and Christians is one of the most spectacular throughout the whole of Spain and is celebrated at different times in different towns and villages.
The Moors ruled Spain for seven hundred years from the 8th to the 15th century and the fiesta celebrates the re-conquest of Spain by the Christians.
The fiesta is celebrated in Moraira in June and this year it will be held on the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th June. On the first day there are processions along the streets with bands and orchestras and fancy dress. On Friday, a mock battle is staged when the Christians reconquer the town and this is held on the Ampolla beach with the Moors and Christians in magnificent costumes. There is much shooting and fighting and is well worth seeing.
On Saturday there will be processions in the streets with flower displays and fancy dress.
On Sunday, the final day there is the most fantastic and spectacular procession in the evening, beginning around 19.00 hours and lasting for two to three hours. Seats are provided in the streets for which a nominal charge is made.
The costumes are out of this world and cost many thousands of euros. Usually there are horsemen, sometimes camels, gym displays and floats and many other attractions. When the procession is ended there is a magnificent firework display ovder the beach.