Teulada (, ) is a small coastal town on

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

Costa Blanca The Costa Blanca (, , literally meaning "White Coast") is over of Mediterranean coastline in the Alicante province, on the southeastern coast of Spain. It extends from the town of Dénia in the north, beyond which lies the Costa del Azahar (or ...

, located 3 km north from Junction 63 of the A7 E-15 toll motorway on the N-332 coast road. Setting it apart from its coastal neighbours of Calpe and further south, Benidorm, the town council passed laws limiting the height of buildings and protecting the natural pines that cover the sides of the valley leading to the coastal part of the municipality,

Moraira Moraira () is a small upmarket Spanish coastal town, part of Teulada (also known as Teulada-Moraira) municipality, in the Marina Alta ''comarca'', 80 km north of Alicante and 100 km south of Valencia. The town is located adjacent to the ...

History

The earliest signs of a settlement date back to the

Upper Paleolithic The Upper Paleolithic (or Upper Palaeolithic) is the third and last subdivision of the Paleolithic or Old Stone Age. Very broadly, it dates to between 50,000 and 12,000 years ago (the beginning of the Holocene), according to some theories coin ...

Period (15-20,000 BC) with remains discovered in a cave on the headland (Cap d’Or). Teulada was founded in 1386 and during the 16th century was fortified due to the constant attacks by Barbary pirates. The lookout tower on the peninsular headland still remains and has been restored. The economy was dominated by agriculture influenced by the period of occupation by the Moors. The walled terraces on the hillsides of the area are still present and allowed for orchards of almonds, vines and citrus fruits to be grown.

Economy

The economy of Teulada is dominated by the

tourism industry Tourism is travel for pleasure or business; also the theory and practice of touring, the business of attracting, accommodating, and entertaining tourists, and the business of operating tours. The World Tourism Organization defines tourism ...

and fuelled by the construction industry which is forever expanding the community size. The influence of the European

expatriate An expatriate (often shortened to expat) is a person who resides outside their native country. In common usage, the term often refers to educated professionals, skilled workers, or artists taking positions outside their home country, either ...

community of predominantly English, German and Dutch residents has grown to the extent that in 1999 a political party of predominantly non-Spanish residents, The Moraira Party, won control of the town hall in local elections. Since this time there has been a progressive investment policy in local facilities especially in the coastal area of Moraira. Teulada still manages to retain its Spanish heritage and traditions. The street market held on Wednesday mornings, and the numerous fiestas that occur throughout the year provide the best example of Spanish customs, and some of the best firework displays, to be found on the coast.

Main sights

*Parish church of St. Catherine (early 16th century) *''Sala de Jurats i Justícia de Teulada'' (17th century) *Castle of Moraira *''Cap d'Or'' Tower (1563) *Hermitages of St. Vincent Ferrer, ''Divina Pastora'' and ''Fonta Santa''

Culture

Local ''fiesta''s include: *San Vincente Ferrer – Held every Monday after Easter to celebrate the Patron Saint. *Moros y Critianos (Moors and Cristians) – Held during the second week in June. *Festa del Moscatell – Held the first Saturday in September. *Santa Catalina – Held on 25 November.

References

{{authority control Municipalities in the Province of Alicante