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Los Alcázares announces the annual Berber Raids fiestas for Easter Week 2025
The medieval market at the Fiestas de las Incursiones Berberiscas in Los Alcázares is larger than ever this year!
The Town Hall of Los Alcázares has announced the outline of the schedule for the annual Fiestas de las Incursiones Berberiscas, which take place in the second half of Easter Week and provide an entertaining alternative to the Semana Santa processions which are held at this time of year in almost all other parts of the Region of Murcia.
Although the fiestas are an occasion for celebration and revelry, and have been existence only since the start of the present millennium, their roots lie mainly in the 16th and 17th centuries, when Berbers from north Africa launched frequent pirate raids on the coastline of Murcia. This part of Spain was under constant threat and the population was reluctant to settle near the coast due to the instability in the area.
Defence existed only in the shape of the watchtowers which can still be seen in many parts of the Murcia coast (for example, the Torre de Rame in Los Alcázares), but these served only to warn the population of the imminent arrival of the next raid and were insufficient to deter the attackers from their pillaging and looting.
These days, though, the atmosphere of the fiestas is one of joy and partying as Los Alcázares welcomes the spring with a series of entertainments, parades, a medieval market and of course plenty to eat and drink!
According to Councillor José Carlos Castejón, last year’s fiestas attracted a total of 150,000 visitors to the town over their 4-day duration, and in 2025 the programme will run along similar lines, with the highlights including the following:
April 17-20: The medieval market will be larger than ever this year, with over 200 stands and stalls running for around 1.5 kilometres alongside the rambla in the town!
Thursday April 17: The ceremonial lighting of the flame of the fiestas.
Friday April 18: The arrival and disembarkation of the Berbers on the beach!
Saturday April 19: The medieval tourney and the grand parade.
Sunday April 20 (Easter Sunday): The medieval tourney concludes and the “Lanzamiento de Caldero” takes place: a bizarre event in which the winner is the person who can throw the pot used to make the dish “caldero” the furthest!
At the same time there will be countless live music events throughout the four days including performances by Muchachito Bombo Infierno, Orquesta La Mundial and Orquesta Maxims.
The full program will be posted here when it is finalized and made available.
For more local information contact the tourist offices in Los Alcázares or go to the home page of Los Alcázares Today.
