Moros y Cristianos Festival Alicante

Spain is famous for its colorful and jubilant festivals. Over 150 different festivals of Moros y Cristianos take place in Spain every year. If you want to see the best of them then it must be the one in Alcoy in the province of Alicante which commemorates the Battle of Alcoy in 1275 when St George helped defeat the Moorish forces lead by Al Azraq.

Although there is no attempt to achieve historical accuracy, plenty of attention is given to the details, and the costumes have to follow certain rules. Some modern accessories are allowed, like eyeglasses and watches, and most of the soldiers, even non-smokers, chomp on cigars. These cigars are a tradition of the fiesta. This festival takes place from April 21st to April 24.

Some important facts of the famous Moros y Cristianos festival celebrated in Alicante are:-

  -   The armies march all day to the sound of the bands. Berbers, soldiers from Marrakesh, Mudéjares, Abencerrajes, Benimerines all preparing for war.

  -   A group of Andalusian bandits is also there, as well as Basque soldiers, an army from Asturias, and even a band of Valencian peasants armed with farming implements.

  -   The people lining the streets admire and encourage the warriors. Soldiers march, sergeants wave at the cheering crowds and horsemen show off their skills. All day long the hosts parade through a city decked with banners, especially the red cross of Saint George.

  -   Two days later the city is filled with the roar of battle, the smoke of gunpowder covering the city as a fog.

  -   The Moors and Christians do battle during the whole day; the Christians, are defeated in the morning and the Moorish crescent can be seen on the ramparts of the castle where the red cross had once flown.

  -   When the fighting is at its fiercest, Saint George himself appears at the top of the castle to aid the Christian armies. The tide is reversed; the Moors retreat. Every year, in April, the Saint gives victory to the Christian hosts as Alcoy, in Valencia, re-enacts the famous, and largely mythical, battle.

  -   For the people of the city the fiesta means serious business. All year round they prepare for their four day festival in which a total of 28 armies do battle. This means a never ending task of fund raising, planning for the next April and preparing costumes.

  -   The end of the fiesta is a sad day for the town, the only consolation being that it all begins again in a year's time.

It is very difficult to find accommodation in Alcoy during the festival so it is recommended to book a hotel in Alicante, and travel from there. If you are looking for real fun and want to experience an event of a lifetime then come to Alicante and enjoy this four-day festival-which manifests in itself - joy, color of life, fun, enthusiasm and zest for life!