This is the biggest event of the year in the little town of Alcoy, and one of the biggest in Spain. It is a ritual encounter between those foes of old, the Moors and the Christians, re-enacted in full historic costume in the streets of the town. This theme provides the basis of many a fiesta in Spain but Alcoy's is probably the most colourful and certainly the noisiest. It is based (loosely) on the Battle of Alcoy of the 13th century and the re-enactment takes place in honour of St George, patron saint of the town, whose church was erected in the place where the Moorish leader fell dead at the city gates. The parades begin early, the Christians to the fore in the morning and the Moors in the afternoon. The costumes are sumptuous and the weapons convincing. The second day is dedicated mainly to St George, with a religious procession in the morning and a more general one in the afternoon. On the third day all hell breaks loose as the adversaries meet in battle. Clouds of smoke fill the streets as the antique-style muskets are discharged over and over again. The result is a foregone and oft-repeated conclusion. Around 5,000 costumed participants are supported by bands of musicians.

Times
Many events between 0600-2400