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4. A WALK THROUGH MORAIRA

A WALK THROUGH MORAIRA

At the end of the 19th century, Teulada being an agricultural town, the products from the harvests were transported by sea from the natural harbour now known as Moraira. In time, some from Teulada settled by the sea near to their place of work, and took up fishing. The huts that started off as stores for their work materials were enlarged to become the homes of the fishermen as the importance of fishing grew. Thus the foundations were being laid through the years for the important tourist town now known as Moraira.

In the main street known as Dr Calatayud, we come to the Parish Church of Mare de Déu dels Desamparats built between 1875 and 1878 and restored on various occasions, the most recent being 1989. Its main doorway reminds us of the architecture of the riu-rau of the area with its arches and porticos. The façade has an image of the Mare de Déu del Carmen, patron of fishermen, this being the only example, in the locality, of a chapel with an actual sculptured image. Carrying on down Almacenes begin the oldest and most picturesque streets, Playas y Mar, leading to the Margenot, the ancient retaining wall that safeguarded the fishermen from heavy seas. This wall overlooked the small beach which has since disappeared with the construction of the Club Naútico. We note the need for this protection in the unusual high level of the windows in some of the houses.

We head via the Placeta La Sort towards the hermitage of the Virgen del Carmen opposite the castle. Previously there had been a chapel, possibly within the castle walls.

The Castle of Moraira, although planned at the same time as the Torre del Cap D'Or, was not constructed until 1742, as shown on the Bourbon shield over the door. Its curious shape is known as an Ox's Hoof due to the semi-circular south face, with a straight north face which includes the entrance to the interior.