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The history of a province that has been influenced by many different cultures, from the prehistoric period, seen in traces such as the cave paintings of del Pla de Petracos, to the Iberian and Roman periods, represented by the archaeological sites of Lucentum in Alicante and La Alcudia in Elche, as well as the undeniable Moorish legacy, seen in the impressive route of the castles, with over one hundred fortresses, most of which have been declared Sites of Cultural Interest. The archaeological site of Rábita de Guardamar is the only building of this style that still remains.
The choice of museums is huge and includes the Archaeological Museum of Alicante (MARQ), of international importance; the Museum of Contemporary Art in Alicante, which displays the personal collection which Eusebio Sempere donated to the city, the municipal works by the artist of Onil and the Caja Mediterraneo collection; the Historic House Museum of AzorÃn de Monóvar, which displays the writer’s personal and literary legacy, as well as the Modernist House in Novelda and the Sanctuary of Mary Magdalene, two examples of great architectural and decorative impact.
The region’s cultural diversity is represented by three world heritage sites: El Misteri d’Elx, a unique representation of medieval origin; the Palmeral de Elche, containing over 200,000 palm trees; and the Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin, which includes important cave paintings located in l’Alcoià , El Comtat, the Marina Alta and the Marina Baixa.
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The Costa Blanca also has some of the most authentic old towns in Spain, such as the Barrio de Santa Cruz in Alicante, where its whitewashed houses reflect the Mediterranean sun, and the old towns of Elche, Jávea, Dénia, Benissa, Teulada and Biar. The region’s rich heritage has also been made worthy of a number of Sites of Cultural Interest, such as Orihuela, Alcoy, Cocentaina, El Castell de Guadalest, Tabarca, Villajoyosa and Villena.
Fiestas
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When it comes to fiestas and festivals, there are so many on the Costa Blanca, you are bound to see one wherever you are, whatever time of year. As with the rest of Spain, one of the most important events is the Semana Santa or Easter Week. These deeply religious celebrations are somewhat overwhelming. Abdet has two main Fiestas – one at Easter and one during August, and everybody is expected to join in! Food in the village square most days, and music, entertainment at night until the early hours.
The Passion of Christ, or Easter Week, known in Spain as Semana Santa is the most important celebration in the country. The festivities begin with the Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) and end with Lunes de Pascua (Easter Monday). It is a celebration of life itself and the whole country comes alive.
Each area, city and town has it’s own accent on it’s celebrations. They all differ but in common they all portray life, colour, culture, music and dance, all with a very religious meaning.
Everywhere, processions make their way through the streets, carrying religious icons and symbols of their faith. In Seville alone there are over 100 of these such images.Semana Santa has to be experienced first hand to be fully appreciated and no words can begin to describe the emotions that flow like water, wherever you go. If you have the opportunity to sample these festivities, one thing is sure, the images will stay with you forever.
In major cities such as Alicante, the processions go on for miles and will last until the early hours of the morning, every night through the Easter week. Children as young as 3 or 4 take part and crowds will swell into hundreds of thousands.
The Fallas festivity is held in March, in which monumental statues are ceremoniously put to the flames.
Saint Joseph’s day is celebrated on 19th March. The Fallas festival runs for a week up to the weekend nearest this date.
Where to go: Valencia is the capital of Fallas, and the hotel prices reflect this. By contrast, Denia is big enough to have the atmosphere but small enough to watch almost every crema. Costa Blanca towns which have Fallas festivals include: Benidorm, Bunol, Calpe, Denia, Gandia, Oliva, Pego, Sueca, Valencia.
Moors and Christians
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The Fiesta de Moros y Christianos, Alcoy, Spain (Battle of the Moors and the Christians) is an important social event in the region. Every year, the Moorish occupation and Spanish re-conquest of the Iberian peninsula is celebrated throughout Southern Spain. Nowhere is the re-enactment as spectacular as in Alcoy, 28 km from Abdet. In late April each year, a papier-mache castle is erected in the town’s main plaza and the townsfolk re-enact the confrontation between the Moorish (Muslim) and Christian leaders.
On the first day of the festival, the townsfolk flock to take part in the colourful parades which weave their way through the streets of Alcoy. They spend a great deal of time making their costumes together, and curiously everyone is vying to be a Moor, as their tribal costumes are the most colourful and exotic.
The second day of the festival is St. Georges Day. On this day, the religious aspects of the festival are remembered, when the relics of the Saint are removed from the Church of Santa Maria and returned with high drama to the temple. That evening there’s a spectacular firework display and Valencien fallas or effigies are burned on huge bonfires in the town.
On the final day of the fiesta, a furious battle takes place on the streets of Alcoy. When the Christian leaders tear up the Moors’ demands, a horse messenger spreads the word of impending war, and the battle begins. For hours the two armies flood through the streets letting off blunderbusses that are so loud they can be heard for miles around. Before noon the Moors succeed in seizing the castle. However in the afternoon, after a child dressed as Alcoy’s Holy Patron, St. George makes an timely appearance on the battlements, the Christians re-gain control of the castle and the battle is won.
What’s the history of the Festival?
This festival commemorates a famous battle held in this city in 1276 between the Christian ruler and the Moorish captain Al Athrak. The story goes that on the point of losing the city to the Moors, St. George appeared on a white charger and turned the Christians’ fate around.
The proceedings have changed little for 700 years, closely following the sequence of events recorded immediately after the battle: the Moors seize the castle in the morning and the Christians win it back again in the afternoon.
One year, about 10 years ago, the Moorish team decided they were not prepared to give up the castle so easily and locked themselves in to celebrate their victory with plenty of food and drink. The outraged Christians were forced to call the police and the Guardia Civil so that the course of history wouldn’t be altered forever.
