Teulada History Costa Blanca Teulada Spain

The Teulada history has been traced back to the beginning of the history of mankind. Early archeological remains of the first settlers (Upper Paleolithic 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´s 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 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 ninteenth 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 (sadly not) is 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, it was badly damaged by the British on July 20th 1801 - but the least said about that, the better!

During 16th century, Berberisc assaults to the coast and even to the very town of Teulada worsened, as well as to the rest of the near coastal municipalities. Before this desperate situation, neighbours were lead to increase surveillance and build defenses to face this danger that decimated goods and people. This way, the Cap d'Or watchtower was built, to keep under control a large coast area and give warnings to inlands.

Together with this fortification, the town of Teulada needed the construction of a new church-stronghold where sheltering from Berberisc attacks, at the same time that walls surrounding the town were enlarged and reinforced.

This fortification works finished in 17th century, around 1614, years of economical and demographical expansion. Also from this period is the Sala Dels Jurats I Justícia (1620), place for the Consell De La Villa's meetings. This town was not very affected by expulsion of the Moorish, since it was a place of old Christian, with only a few Muslim habitants. Contrarily, neighbours of Teulada went to repopulate other places in the region which became abandoned after the expulsion edict.

In this time, Teulada's economy is traditional agricultural, predominating cereal, grape and almond production. During 17th century almond exportations to Castilla and Portugal were continuous.

At the end of 17th century, Teulada was the scenary for one of the episods of the second "Germanía", a moment for royal troops to settle down here in order to repress this rebellions against feudalism. Banditry in this deep economical recession affected population, immersed in fights between gangs and opposite factions together with adjacent populations.

Beginning of 18th century coincided with the dinasty change in the Hispanic crown.Teulada, as most of the villages in the district, followed the Austric faction, being negatively affected by Bourbon troops' triumph, who, after the Almansa battle, imposed to all defeated lands "by means of fair conquest right" all laws from Castilla, thus beginning a long cultural decadence period, by autochthonous language being relegated.

At the beginning of 20th century, local economy was affected by blight, epidemic that seriously damaged vineyard plantations. This difficult situation was mitigated in part by emigrations to Northern Africa and America.

Train arrived to Teulada in 1914 as a symbol of the progress slowly nearing to this lands.

Despite that Teulada was not located in a battle front, Spanish Civil Ware produced such a demographic and economic regression that several years had to elapse for an effective recovery.

But it was tourims what originated the greatest economical, demographic and social transformation of this municipality. Although some small residencies were located near the sea already in the mid century (in El Portet, overalls), it was from 60s, and especially during 70s and 80s, when the great transformation was consolidated. Moraira is no longer a fishermen village (although this economical activity continues) and becomes an international touristic destination. In 1974 was created the Parroquia de la Virgen de los Desamparados (Parish of the Virgen de los Desamparados), becoming the old hermitage in a church.