The history of Moraira, historical Moraira

History of Moraira

The history of Teulada and Moraira has been traced back almost to the beginning of the history of civilised man.Early archaeological remains of the first settlers (Upper Palaeolithic 15,000 to 20,000 BC) were discovered in a Cave (Cova de la Cendra) on the Cap d´Or (the headland that protects Moraira and El Portet beaches).In the town of Teulada, at the Cova de Les Rates and El Morro de Castellar are schematic rupestrian paintings depicting life in the bronze age.Later the Iberians settled in the area and ceramic remains have been discovered to support this on the Cap d´Or where they would have guarded the Bay of Moraira and the whole coastline.Later still the Moors occupied the area and, as elsewhere along the Spanish Mediterranean Coast, left their mark on the culture and economy of the area.

The Castle on the beach at Moraira (Costa Blanca)
The signs of this first "organized" society are still to be seen in the architecture, the irrigation and agricultural systems and town planning. Many of the area names have been handed down from this era, e.g. Benimarco, Benimeit, Pouet del Morro, Moravit, Tabaira, Alcassar etc.The Moors were expelled in the 13th century by the conqueror Jaime I and then people from Catalunya and Aragon settled there, bringing with them the Valencian language.
Teulada was formally founded in 1386 by the Lords of Llúria, Serría and Gandia who were the owners and later they handed over to the Barons of Ariza and Teulada and in the nineteenth century it was claimed by the crown.During the 16th century the area was plagued by the attention of Barbary pirates, the Town of Teulada was fortified and a lookout tower (now restored) was built on the Cap d´Or.

There is an old tale that Moraira was named after the heathen princess "Ira, la Mora" - hence "Mora Ira". This could be true (but probably not). The tale that her remains are entombed under the old castle on the main beach (now restored as a historical monument and museum).There is actual evidence that this "Castillo de Moraira" was planned by Juan Bautista Antonelli within the fortification scheme developed by Felipe II to protect the coast from the Barbary invaders in the 16th century but, according to a plaque at the entrance, it was finished as late as 1742.It is also known that, although it was armed with four bronze cannons, itwas badly damaged by the British on July 20th 1801 - but the least said about that, the better

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