‹ Back

 

The Landing depicts the great battle to conquer Villajoyosa, which falls into the hands of the Moorish troops.

This act recreates the fight between both sides that took place on July 29, 1538 and for this historical representation the file has been initiated to declare it an Asset of Intangible Cultural Interest (BIC).

Moorish troops, arriving from afar, await the order to attack Villajoyosa in 25 vessels at sea. A Moorish emissary presents the Christian King, Pedro López Morales of Destralers, with conditions that would prevent a battle. But he fails to convince the faction of the Cross that they will defend the town to the bitter end: "There will be war."

This is the landing ceremony of the Moors and Christians Festival in Villajoyosa, attended by more than 4,000 festival-goers. This performance is one of the most iconic moments of the festival's main events and is held on Centro Beach, which was filled not only with festival-goers but also with numerous attendees thrilled by the fireworks, the bonfire, and the fire.

At sea, 25 Saracen boats performed in a grand spectacle of fireworks, lights, and sound, representing the historical events that underpin the patron saint's festivities. The Desembarc recreates the Berber attack of July 29, 1538, for which Saint Martha was named patron saint of the city. To protect this unique event, the City Council has already initiated the process of declaring it an Intangible Cultural Heritage Site (BIC).

At 3:00 a.m., the Moorish troops headed to the port to board the galleys. At 5:00 a.m., the Christian army sailed down the Costera de la Mar after the alarm was sounded and under the supervision of the monarch of the Cross, Pedro López Morales, from the Destralers company.

Already on the sand, near the castle, a Christian camp awaited the arrival of the Saracen troops, already visible in the distance on their boats. Christian revelers have not stopped firing their arquebuses for battle. In the distance, a lute with a white flag rows ashore. Aboard it is the Moorish Emissary, Rafael Hidalga, whose eyes are blindfolded by the troops of the cross upon reaching the shore and brought before the Christian King.

After the Christian King rejected the Saracens' plea for surrender, the Emissary re-embarked and, raising the red flag, announced that there would be war to conquer Villajoyosa. At that moment, the Moorish troops, who had been waiting in the boats, took to the water. Upon reaching the shore, where the sound of arquebuses could be heard continuously, they fought with the Christians who were waiting for them in the camp.

Finally, the Moorish Embassy, featuring the Moorish ambassador, José Miguel Llinares, accompanied by the Moorish King, Eugenio Gómez Aperador, and his troops, and the Christian ambassador, Luis García, perched atop the castle. The speech ends with the Moors' victory over the Christians for a few hours.

This afternoon, the festivities continue on Centro Beach. The Reconquista and Christian Embassy will be celebrated, with the Christians recovering the castle. Afterward, all the festival-goers will ascend to the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption to give thanks to Saint Martha for protecting the people of Villanueva. Twenty-one gun salutes will be fired in honor of the patron saint.