The city of Ontinyent celebrates this Monday, August 24th, the final day of its eagerly awaited Moors and Christians festival. Gunpowder, historical verses written by Joaquín José Cervino in 1860, and street theater will mark the end of an intense festive calendar, sealing the conquest and reconquest of the town.
The day will begin at 10:00 AM with a mass in honor of the Santíssim Crist de l’Agonia at the church of Sant Carles. Subsequently, until 1:30 PM, there will be open doors at the church of Santa Maria, offering a last opportunity to visit its bell tower, chapel, and crypt.
At 11:00 AM, the first arquebus battle will take place, with the parade and combat of the Moorish troupes from Cantereria and the Christian troupes from the bridge of Santa Maria. Following this, at 12:00 PM, the Plaça Major will host the Moorish Embassy, where ambassadors from both sides will reenact their duel over Cervino's verses. Afterwards, a parade of all troupes will proceed through Maians and Gomis streets.
Music will also feature with a performance by the Xaranga El Dólar at the Textile Museum at 1:00 PM. The afternoon will continue at 5:00 PM with a second arquebus battle, and at 6:00 PM, the Christian Embassy in the Plaça Major will lead into the Final Parade through Maians and Gomis streets.
The festival will definitively conclude at 8:00 PM with a musical performance by the Xaranga El Dólar at the Textile Museum, bringing the celebrations to an end.
