Cristianos
Founders, Tradition, and Nobility Since 1843
The Comparsa de Cristianos is the oldest comparsa of the Christian faction in Villena’s Moors and Christians Festival, founded in 1843. Custodians of the festival’s earliest spirit, the Cristianos have played a central role in shaping Villena’s most important cultural celebration.
Since its origin, the troupe has embodied the values of nobility, bravery, and tradition, serving as guardians of the city’s oldest festive spirit.
Founders of the Parade
The Cristianos are credited as the founding comparsa of La Entrada, the parade that today stands as the grand opening of Villena’s festivities. Since the mid-19th century, they have been at the forefront of every major event in the festival calendar—Embassies, Guerrillas, La Ofrenda, La Procesión, and, of course, La Entrada.
They are the first comparsa to parade in the Christian order and serve as protagonists in the “Pact of the Alliance” with the Comparsa de Estudiantes, a symbolic and theatrical moment celebrated every September 8th, before the Embassy at the Atalaya Castle.
A Uniform of Elegance and Legacy
The Cristianos’ costume has evolved through time, but always retains its medieval, knightly essence. Capes, tunics, swords, and banners form a coherent aesthetic that reflects the noble armies of old Europe. Today’s uniform stands out for its sobriety and elegance, with squads that move in perfect coordination and deliver a powerful visual spectacle. Their staging and musical accompaniment are among the most admired in the entire festival.
Ambassadors of Tradition
The Comparsa de Cristianos holds one of the most important theatrical responsibilities of the entire festival: the Christian Embassy. Every September 6 and 8, at the foot of Villena’s Atalaya Castle, they portray the tense diplomacy and eventual reconquest of the fortress in a series of dramatic representations alongside the Moorish faction. With a fully uniformed squad, banner bearers, drummers, band, and Ambassador, they transform the castle’s surroundings into a stage of history and emotion, demonstrating solemnity, precision, and deep respect for tradition.
Pride, History, and Responsibility
To be part of the Comparsa de Cristianos is to assume the legacy of the founders; to carry the weight and the pride of those who gave birth to Villena’s most important celebration. Their ability to honour their origins while adapting to changing times has made the Cristianos a model comparsa, with a solid organizational structure, an enduring communal spirit, and a firm devotion to the ideals of the festival.