10
Aug
Moors and Christians Festivities
10 August 2026
Dates and times
10 Aug 2026
La Candelaria
Description
In August, the Sierra Mágina Natural Park becomes an unrivalled, distinctive green backdrop for the Moors and Christians festivities. These events have their origins in the 13th century, when the region was a frontier land between the Kingdom of Castile and the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada.
Three towns hold this celebration: Campillo de Arenas, Cárcheles and Bélmez de la Moraleda. In all three, the festivities unfold in a very similar way: they begin with the procession of the image of the patron saint, which leaves the parish church guarded by “the Christians”, only to be ambushed along the way by “the Moors”, who seize the image. A day later, the Christian troops manage to recover the precious platform, bringing to a close, for another year, festivities that have been held for centuries.
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