Moors and Christian coming soon in Alcoy, Alicante!
The Moors and Christians in Alcoy are a popular festivity that includes a representation of the fight between Muslim and Christian sides. It has its origin in the Battle of Alcoy produced in 1276, at the gates of the city where were confronted Alcoy‘s people and Al Azraq’s troops. The legend tells that the key moment was when San Jorge appeared and decided the result of the battle.
Nowadays a lot of villages of the spanish Levante celebrate this festivity, but Alcoy’s Moors and Christians are special, spectacular and being declarated of Internacional Tourist Interest since 1980. The festivity is composed by “Filàs” or comparse, and in Alcoy there are 28 Filàs, which are:
- Moors: Llana, Judíos, Miqueros, Chanos, Verdes, Magenta, Cordón, Ligeros, Mudéjares, Abencerrajes, Marrakesch, Realistas, Berberiscos and Benimerines.
- Christians: Andaluces, Asturianos, Cides, Labradores, Guzmanes, Vascos, Mozárabes, Almogávares, Navarros, Tomasinas, Muntanyesos, Cruzados, Alcodianos and Aragoneses.
This year 2013 the festivity will be from 21 to 23 April, with the next programation:
- April 21st, Musicians Day: comparses and bands parade from Pais Valencià Avenue to Plaza España, where all them interpret the festive anthem.
- April 22nd, Entries Day: is the first day of the festivity. It begins at 5.45, and in this day the comparses do the entries.
- April 23rd, Saint George Day: in this day there is a procession of “Sant Jordiet”.
Alcoy’s Moors and Christians are one of the most ancient and popular festivities in Spain. If you want discover this, rent a car in Alicante airport and go to Alcoy and be one more.