Everything about Moros Y Cristianos totally explained
Moros y Cristianos (in
Spanish) or
Moros i Cristians (in
Valencian), literally means
Moors and Christians, and is a set of festival activities which are celebrated in many towns and cities of
Spain, principally in the
Valencian Community, to commemorate the battles, combats and fights between
Moors (or
Muslims) and
Christians during the period known as
Reconquista (from the 8th century through the 15th century).
The festivals represent the capture of the city by the Moors and the subsequent Christian reconquest. The people that take part in the festival are usually enlisted in
filaes or
comparsas (companies that represent the Christian or Moor legions), and for several days, they parade with bombastic costumes loosely inspired by
Medieval fashion. Christians wear
fur, metallic helmets, and
armor, fire loud
arquebuses, and ride
horses. In contrast, Moors wear ancient Arab costumes, carry
scimitars, and ride real
camels or
elephants. The festival develops among shots of
gunpowder, medieval music, and
fireworks, and ends with the Christians winning a simulated battle around a castle.
The most well-known
Moros y Cristianos festival takes place in
Alcoi from 22 to 24 April, around the Feast Day of
Saint George (Catalan:
Sant Jordi ; Spanish:
San Jorge). According to
legend, after
James I of Aragon reconquered the city of Alcoi, the Moors, in turn, tried to recover it shortly after. But, when they were about to start the battle again, Saint George miraculously appeared to the Moors, who were frightened away.
Other remarkable
Moros y Cristianos festivals are celebrated in the towns of
La Vila Joiosa (with its
desembarc),
Villena,
Biar,
Cocentaina,
Crevillent,
El Campello,
Elda,
Muro d'Alcoi,
Ontinyent,
Oriola,
Petrer,
Pollença and some districts of
Alicante city. The most ancient festival is celebrated in
Caudete (
Albacete), dated from 1588.
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