The Moors' assault on Levante Beach brings an end to Christian resistance on the first day of the fiesta

A spectacular battle at sunrise on the coast kicks off this year's Moros y Cristianos festival.

Commemorating the Barbary pirate attacks on the coast in the 16th century, an army of Moors stormed the beach in a spectacular show full of choreography, battle scenes, and gunpowder—above all, gunpowder. More than a thousand spectators gathered on Levante Beach to witness the epic battle between the Moors and the Christians, which will continue with the upcoming conquest and reconquest of the Castillo-Fortaleza.

It is this event that kicks off the Moros y Cristianos festival in Santa Pola with great fanfare, and its importance on the calendar grows every year thanks to its spectacular nature, dazzling choreography, skirmishes, and the ever-present smell of black powder. The traditional Moorish assault has evolved in recent years thanks to the involvement of a local association. In this year’s edition, the arena was moved 100 meters east of Levante Beach so that spectators would have more space on all four sides of the stage, which significantly improved visibility and increased the audience’s comfort.

At ten o’clock in the morning, under the scorching sun, the Christians wait anxiously within their palisade for the approaching threat. Meanwhile, a large group of Moors, concealed in the twilight of the first rays of dawn, had made their way from Isla Plana all the way to the sandy shore.

That is when the narration, led by journalist José Juan López, begins, introducing viewers to the historical context. He recounts the history of these lands from Iberian and Roman times, through the medieval abandonment, to the gradual repopulation following the Reconquista.

Let’s travel back to the 16th century, a turbulent time marked by constant attacks by Barbary pirates led by the ruthless Barbarossa. They used what is now the island of Tabarca as their base of operations to carry out swift and devastating raids along the coast.

The performance begins with a magnificent procession of Muslim dancers and a cold, hostile exchange between the heralds of both sides, during which the Moor authoritatively demands surrender. The Christians realize that this is no mere raiding expedition, but a full-scale invasion. They prepare for battle by firing their first volleys of arrows, followed by direct hand-to-hand combat with swords and clubs.

A Bloody Showdown and the Fall of the Defenders

The dances of the Christian procession give way to the first bloody duel. One of the Christian warriors, displaying heroic resolve, steps forward to fight with his chest exposed in order to buy time for his comrades. His courage, however, leads to a tragic outcome for the side of the cross.

The forces of the crescent moon, intoxicated by their superiority, are already dreaming of ultimate victory and preparing a decisive charge against the Christian camp. The deafening roar of arquebuses and cannons shatters the morning calm on the shores of the Mediterranean, forcing the Christians to seek shelter from the deadly barrage.

At the climax, the ambassadors of both sides meet face to face on the trampled sand. The Moorish ambassador, played with panache by Manuel Gabino, firmly demands surrender, while promising mercy and prosperity to the besieged in exchange for laying down their arms. Resigned to her painful defeat, the Christian ambassador, played by Judith Valero, lays down her arms but proudly vows revenge and the eventual recovery of what once belonged to her people.

The battle on the beach has come to an end, but the war continues. Residents and spectators alike face two more days of life-and-death struggle, filled with the clamor of battle and the smell of gunpowder, with one ultimate goal for both sides: to become the rightful rulers of the Fortress Castle.