Mediterranean Coast of Spain

MEDITERRANEAN COAST

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a a MOORS AND CHRISTIANS ALCOY, ALICANTE

MOORS AND CHRISTIANS There are flamboyant parades to com- memorate the confrontation between Moors and Christians for the control of Spain in the 13th century. This is one of the most popular festive traditions in Spain, but especially in Valencia and Ali- cante where they are deep-rooted. The most spectacular, and there- fore the most renowned, take place in Alcoy (Alicante) where they celebrate the "Festive Trilogy". Over the course of three days there are magnificent pa- rades and processions which come to a head on the so-called Day of El Alardo or the Battle of Arcabucería, when both sides fight to take the city's Castle, with blunderbusses and gunpowder creating a deafening spectacle in the town cen- tre of Alcoy.

CARTAGENA Due to its strategic location, what was Carthago Nova in Roman times has been occupied by a number of different cultures which have left an important artistic legacy in the Cartagena of to- day. A tour of the city and its museums will show you a city with strong links to the sea. You can walk amongst the grandstands of the Roman Theatre in Cartagena, built in the 1st century BC. Access is via the Roman Theatre Museum where ex- hibits are displayed of objects found dur- ing the different excavations that have taken place since its discovery in 1990.

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