Moors and Christians Festival 2025: “Morning Alardo”

Once the negotiations end without agreement, the Alardo or musket battle begins. The morning Alardo starts at 11:00 a.m. from the Castle, with the departure of the Captain and the Christian Lieutenant, followed by their respective filaes.

The Christian side is divided into two columns: one led by the Christian Captain, who ascends along Sant Nicolau street and El Camí to the height of the La Rosa flower shop, where the Encaro (confrontation) with the Moorish Captain takes place. After that, the Captain retreats via El Camí to rejoin the parade at the intersection with Ramón y Cajal, while the rest of the Christian filaes descend through Sant Mateu, cross the Placeta de la Creu Roja, Sant Nicolau, and arrive at Plaça d’Espanya.

At the same time, the Christian Lieutenant and his filaes descend along Sant Llorenç street and Avinguda del País Valencià to the junction with Joan Cantó, where the Encaro with the Moorish Lieutenant takes place. Afterwards, the Lieutenant retreats and rejoins the last Christian filà at the height of Pintor Gisbert square. The rest of the filaes continue through Pintor Gisbert, Roger de Llúria, Bartolomé J. Gallardo, and Rigoberto Albors, ascending again via Avinguda del País Valencià to finally reach Plaça d’Espanya.

The Moorish side is also divided into two columns. The Moorish Captain advances toward the Encaro with the Christian Captain at El Camí, then continues along Sant Nicolau to reach Plaça d’Espanya. Meanwhile, the Moorish Lieutenant meets the Christian Lieutenant at Joan Cantó and proceeds to Plaça d’Espanya with his filaes.

Finally, the filaes enter Plaça d’Espanya alternately. The Captains take position near the Town Hall, and the Lieutenants near the Catholic Workers’ Circle. The guerrilla skirmish takes place in the square, with the Christians retreating toward the Castle and the Moors advancing toward it.

The event concludes with a symbolic hand-to-hand combat in Plaça d’Espanya and at the Castle, which is ultimately taken by the Moors.