The Proclamation and Hoisting of the Banners
Each year, the proclamation marks the beginning of the Moors and Christians festivities. Participants and locals gather in the Plaza Mayor, where the castle is set up. From there, a distinguished guest, accompanied by the President of the Association of Moors and Christians and the festival leaders, invites everyone to enjoy and experience the celebrations to the fullest.
The event concludes with the hoisting of the Moorish and Christian banners. From the square, the procession moves to the Parish Church of Our Lady of the Snows to make the traditional offering of candles to the Patron Saint.
The Moorish and Christian Parade
The grand entrance of the Moors and Christians is one of the most emblematic events of the festivities. The parade of Moorish and Christian troops marches along the town’s main avenue, Gabriel Miró Avenue, all the way to the Arenal Beach. It gathers thousands of locals and attracts countless visitors and tourists, who are captivated by the spectacular and unique Calp parade.
For the main representatives —the captains, standard-bearer, and lieutenants— it is the culmination of a whole year of effort and dedication. Ballets, animals, music, and fire characterize the captains’ boatos (pageants), which move the audience.
s tradition dictates, the parade begins with the standard-bearer of the organizing entity, the Associació de Moros i Cristians Santíssim Crist de la Suor. Following her, the parade of the Christian troops begins, ending with the Christian captaincy.
The turn of the Saracen troops comes with the young Moorish lieutenant; Gabriel Miró Avenue fills with the colors and scents of the Orient. The passage of the Crescent troops begins, displaying the splendor and fantasy that define them. The parade concludes with the arrival of the Moorish captaincy, accompanied by the Calp Musical Union.
The Landing or First Battle
This act represents the arrival of the Muslim hordes at Arenal Beach. The Moorish filaes (troupes) set sail from the fishing port and land on Arenal Beach, where they begin to disembark and the battle commences. On the sand, the Christian army awaits the invaders. A Moorish emissary approaches to negotiate, and the Christian captain and ambassador ride out to meet him on horseback.
Upon the demand for surrender, the Christians respond with weapons. Within minutes, the Moorish army lands and storms the beach. The battle begins, and the roar of arquebuses fills the air.
The Moorish troops win the first battle and advance along Gabriel Miró Avenue toward the Plaza Mayor, while the Christian troops retreat in preparation for the second confrontation.
The Miracle or Second Battle
The Miracle is the emotional reenactment that distinguishes Calp’s festival. The children of Calp announce the arrival of the Muslim troops shouting “Fire on Ifac! Moors on the coast!” The Christians retreat behind the walls, unaware of Moncófar’s betrayal. This character, key to the performance, begins a dialogue with the Christian ambassador. This passage of the Miracle is undoubtedly one of the most emotional and memorable moments.
Moncófar betrays the people of Calp and joins the Moorish ambassador, helping the Saracens seize the city. The arquebus battle shakes the Plaza Mayor, and when all seems lost, a humble man named Caragol manages to close the city gates thanks to the intercession of the Patron Saint, the Santíssim Crist de la Suor. The castle is illuminated with the image of Christ, and Moncófar falls at his feet.
The reenactment, with some artistic liberties, is based on the historical events of October 22, 1744, and is performed every year, evoking the same emotion among the gathered townspeople.
Open-Air Mass
On October 22, the feast day of the Patron Saint, Santíssim Crist de la Suor, the grandeur and color of the festivities give way to the devotion and spirituality that define this day.
The day begins with an open-air mass in the Plaza Mayor, attended by thousands of Calp residents. The mass has been celebrated outdoors for years due to the large number of people and visitors who cannot fit inside the Parish Church of Our Lady of the Snows.
The festival leaders —standard-bearers, captains, and lieutenants— as well as members of the Festivity of Our Lady of the Snows, occupy prominent positions during the ceremony, which is presided over by the image of the Patron Saint, Santíssim Crist de la Suor.
Procession
On the evening of October 22, the Day of Santíssim Crist de la Suor, the people of Calp express their devotion to the Patron Saint in a solemn procession through the streets of the old town. Traditionally, the image is carried by the filà holding the title of Standard-Bearer of the Association that year.
Residents, festival representatives, the Festival Queens, the Committee of Our Lady of the Snows, and local authorities accompany the image of the Patron Saint in silence and reverence. The most emotional moment occurs when the image of Christ reenters the church amid bursts of fireworks.