Loud Blasts in the Square? Stumbling into Valencia's Historic Moors & Christians Fiesta! - S03E45

In this Sailing Helios episode, we kick off with an early dawn departure from the charming historic port of Peñíscola, sailing alongside the fishing fleet toward Valencia, Spain's stunning coastal city and major commercial harbour. The ancient historic centre welcomes us—but we've timed our arrival perfectly (or chaotically!) during the vibrant October festivities for Día de la Comunitat Valenciana and the Moors & Christians (Moros y Cristianos) celebrations! Harbor-area concerts blast through the night, and the next day we're hit with massive parades, people in elaborate period costumes (think medieval knights, Moorish warriors, striped robes, and more), marching bands, and thunderous "gunshots" from replica muskets/arquebuses fired right in the square—smoke everywhere, crowds loving it, no one running because it's all tradition! We explore Valencia's top sights amid the festive energy before setting sail the following morning to our next destination, Dénia. Perfect for fans of sailing adventures, Mediterranean cruising, Spanish history, cultural festivals with gunpowder displays, parades, and unexpected surprises! If you love real sailing journeys and stumbling into epic local events like Moors & Christians in Valencia, hit play! Subscribe for more yacht life, port explorations, and wild discoveries along the Spanish coast. Episode S03E45 Recorded: Early October 2025 Viewer-first. Ad-free. Supported by those who choose to. Become a member by clicking the "Join" button. https://www.youtube.com/@sailinghelios2023/join Support Our Journey: 🔗 Check out www.sailinghelios.com for exclusive behind-the-scenes content 📸 Follow us on Instagram for updates: https://www.instagram.com/sailinghelios2023/ 📸 Follow us on Facebook for updates: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sailinghelios 📸 Follow us on Substack for updates: https://substack.com/@sailinghelios Chapters: 00:00 - Leaving with the fishing boats 00:56 - Setting Sail 01:53 - Arriving in Valencia 05:57 - Visiting Valencia 08:31 - I lost my hat 10:15 - A parade in town 10:45 - Are those gunshots we hear 11:22 - Valencia Cathedral 13:18 - Central Market of Valencia 15:22 - Parroquia de Sant Nicolau 17:19 - Cheesecake time 17:58 - Leaving Valencia 19:22 - Dodging Cargo Ships 20:15 - Making hangers for our lines 22:22 - Arriving at Marina de Denia 4K Video