Oliva Feature
• Oliva's Moors and Christians Declared a Fiesta of National Tourist Interest
By Hola Oliva

OLIVA'S vibrant and elaborate Moors and Christians fiesta is one of the largest of its kind in Valenciana. More than just history brought back to life It is a week-long round-the-clock celebration featuring the flamboyant arrival of the Moors by boat onto Oliva beach, elaborate and spectacular mock battles through the town with camels, horses, mules, imaginative, colourful floats, ambassadors, pirates and musketeers.

Declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest, and arguably one of the largest and most elaborate in the region, Oliva's Moors and Christians is an, "Awesome" event, "Not to be missed."

Saturday, July 10:
11.00hrs: Children's fair, animations, costumes, warpaint, story-telling Parc de l'Estació, main Paseo.
23.00hrs: Presentation of captains, ambassadors and flagbearersin Parc de l'Estació, followed by firework display.

Thursday, July 19:
20.00hrs: Pregón Festero, or 'call' to the fiesta from the balcony of the town hall followed by cannon-shots and musical parades from the town hall square to Parc de l'Estació in front of the mock castle. Ends with fireworks and mascletà.
00.30hrs: 'Informal' entrada of the Moors and Christians.

Friday, July 20:
07.30hrs: Awakening with band music and cannon-shots in front of the castle and then parading around various streets in the town.
20.00hrs: Spectacular entry of the Christian troops in the following order of Filadas, or troops.

Saturday, July 21:
02.00hrs: Party on Pau Pi beach until the disembarking of the Moors.
06.00hrs: Disembarking of the Moorish troops on the beach, firework display and cannon-shots. Moorish captain addresses his troops and a 'spy', or estafeta, tips off the Christian army of their arrival. Mock battle on the beach.
19.00hrs: Spectacular entry of the Moorish troops. Official opening then parade of flag-carriers from the fiesta association. Fiesta continues until the early hours on the streets.

Sunday, July 22:
Noon: All filadas, or troops visit each others' casales (tented headquarters) accompanied by musical bands.
19.00hrs: Children's parade along C/ Loygorri, Paseo Joan Carles I, Paseo Lluís Vives and ending in front of the municipal market.
19.30hrs: Reconquest parade starting from Paseo del Rei Jaume I through to the castle.
20.30hrs: Reconquest of the castle by the Christians. The Christian captain leads his troops and features the estafeta, where a 'spy' on horseback tips off the Moors, who are hiding in the castle. Mock battle with cannon-shots. Midnight: Huge firework display to mark the end of the fiesta.

Hola Oliva tip
Oliva House provides excellent value, perfectly located accommodation for your stay in Oliva during the Moors and Christians Fiesta.