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The Mediterranean, the melting pot of cultures and the bridge between civilisations, has influenced the features of this municipality throughout the centuries.
Man has lived on these lands since time immemorial and the remains of the Upper-Palaeolithic and Neolithic ages, found in the “Cova de les Cendres” (Cave of the Ashes), confirm this. The Iberian culture also left its mark on the region until it lost its identity when the Romans occupied the territory. After the Romans, farmers and herdsmen, who possibly gave us the name, the area was occupied by the Arabs who formed the splendid terraced landscapes that we enjoy today and named many of the places that are part of the municipal district.
In the 13th century, with the arrival of the troops of James I the Conqueror, the culture, the traditions and the customs associated with the friendly, cheerful and hospitable character of this Mediterranean people started to grow.
It is in 1386 when the municipal district was legally created and shortly afterwards, in 1410, the town was visited by a distinguished historical figure, Saint Vicente Ferrer, our first famous tourist.
The 15th, 16th and 17th centuries were blighted by continuous Barbary pirate attacks and this is when, quite possibly, the most important pieces of our architectural heritage were built: The Cap d’Or watchtower, the Santa Catalina fortified church and the Sala de Jurats i Justicies (Courts of Justice).
The watchtower that is now known as the Castell de Moraira or Castell de la Mar (Castle of Moraira or the Castle of the Sea) was built in 1744. This is when a small settlement began to develop under its protection and the main activity of the people there was fishing, although it wasn’t the only one.
In the 9th century, there is substantial economic development in the Marina Alta region due to exporting raisins to the rest of Europe and America. The buildings in calle Almacenes were used to store the raisins that were carried on the small fishing boats to the large ships that were anchored in the bay ready to sail them off to their destination.
The main economic activity of the municipality, agriculture – which still enables us to savour the sweet taste of the Roman Muscat grape and the exquisite fortified sweet wine that is made with it, mistela – dwindles half way through the 20th century with the arrival of the tourism industry.
The Portet and Platgetes beaches witnessed the arrival of the first tourists half way through the 20th century and by the end of the 1960s and the beginning of the 1970s tourists were flooding in to enjoy the good climate, the beautiful beaches and the wonderful scenery..
Anyone who comes to visit us today will discover a town that not only has a wealth of natural heritage, but also historical, artistic and monumental heritage, which will inspire them to delve into the culture that is full of stories and legends of people who will give them a very warm welcome.
Visitors here can delight in an assortment of delicious culinary creations.
Exquisite specialities along with the traditional cooking, international food, including Italian, German, Asian and French food are served at numerous restaurants in Teulada-Moraira, some of which are recommended by the prestigious Michelin Guide.
The fish that bears the Moraira Bay seal of quality is caught locally using the traditional fishing methods. Tasty local Teulada fish dishes include the “putxero de polp” (octopus casserole), the “sopa de peix” (fish soup) or the different salted frigate tuna, “bull” (tuna belly) or “anxova” (anchovy).
Rice is the star ingredient in the Teulada cooking, it is used to make mouth-watering dishes such as the “arròs a banda” (rice cooked in fish broth), “arròs amb fessols i naps” (rice with beans and root vegetables), “paella amb sardines y espinacs” (rice with sardines and spinach) or the “arròs negre” (rice cooked in squid ink). Creamy octopus rice, “arròs de senyoret” (peeled and boned seafood rice), or an earthenware pot of baked rice definitely taste of tradition.
Good food must always be accompanied by the best local wines.
The local grape variety the “Muscat Romain or the Muscat of Alexandria” is used to make leading exemplary wines.
The white wines: The Pitágora, semi-dry and the Viña Teulada, dry with floral notes.
The red wines: The young Viña Teulada and the crianza Lluna Plena. The Vermouth, red with aromas of the Muscat grape. The Pitágora, the delicate sparkling muscatel wine and the first Cava made with the Muscat romain variety of grape: Tegulata Brut are very original varieties.
The highlights of the traditional Mistela sweet fortified wines include: Mistela Selecta de Teulada, Pitágora Moscatell d´Or and the Moscatel reserva, Càntic del Sol, along with the “Cims del Mediterrani” and “Cap d´Or” mistela wines.