The event, commemorating the 16th-century pirate attacks, offered a spectacle filled with choreography, war scenes, and abundant gunpowder. The epic battle between Moors and Christians, which will continue with the conquest and reconquest of the Castle-Fortress, attracted a large audience to the beach.
This traditional Moorish assault, driven by the organizing association, has evolved in recent times. In this edition, it was moved about a hundred meters east of Levante beach, enhancing visibility and capacity for the public, who now have more space around the scene.
Under a bright sun, the Christians awaited the imminent threat of a numerous group of Moors from their palisade. These, camouflaged in the dim light of dawn, arrived from Isla Plana to the shoreline.
Journalist José Juan López narrated the history of the area, from the Iberian and Roman periods, through the Middle Ages, to the repopulation after the Reconquista. The narration placed attendees in the 16th century, an era of constant attacks by Barbary pirates led by Barbarossa, who used the current island of Tabarca as a base.
The reenactment began with the parade of Muslim dancers and a confrontation between the heralds of each side. Faced with the Moorish demand for surrender, the Christians, sensing it was more than a mere raid, prepared for battle with initial volleys of arrows and close-quarters combat.
Following the dances of the Christian parade, a bloody duel took place. A Christian warrior emerged to fight bare-chested to buy time, but his bravery led to a tragic outcome for his side.
The crescent moon's forces, dreaming of victory, prepared the final charge against the Christian camp. The roar of arquebuses and cannons broke the morning tranquility on the Mediterranean shore, forcing the Christians to seek refuge.
“"We are committed to regaining what once belonged to us sooner rather than later."
The ambassadors from both sides challenged each other on the sand. The Moorish Ambassador, played by Manuel Gabino, demanded surrender with promises of well-being. The Christian Ambassador, played by Judith Valero, accepting defeat, swore revenge.
The battle concluded, but the war continues. Two more days of intense fighting, gunpowder, and bloodshed await, with a single objective for both sides: to become the owners of the Castle-Fortress.
