A Mini History of Spain in a Local Context
A quick summary of the history of Spain will help you understand the regional influences and then we'll explain the individual variations key to understanding Javea.
Key Periods in the History of Spain
Regions of Spain and specifically the area 250 miles South-East of Javea claim to be the first place in Europe to have been occupied by humans. The archeological and known historical events pre-1500 BC are a little confused, although it appears as if the region now known as Almeria, South of the Costa Blanca, was the first region to become an agricultural community by the time the Bronze Age had arrived.
The next thousand years brought many distinct tribal groups from Northern and central Europe and these found the geographical areas of Spain advantageous, in that they were able to establish some quite distinct and independent populations kept apart by natural land formations. Warring nations brought additional influences to the South of Spain, whilst to the North East along the modern Costa Brava, trade with Eastern Mediterranean merchants enhanced the cultural mix.
By the time the Romans arrived, many of the peoples and cultures that make up today's Spain were already settled into their distinct regional territories. These strong and firmly entrenched variations made Roman domination difficult and parts of Spain, particularly the Mountainous regions, managed to remain moderately independent of Rome.Nevertheless, the primary trading and agricultural regions of Spain became very important vassals of the Roman Empire.As the strength of Rome waned towards the third century AD, Northern Spain experienced invasions from the North and the Visigoths enjoyed a brief period of military rule during the fifth century AD.
The Arrival of Catholicism and Hundreds of Years of Intermitant African and Arabic Strife
Spain had become a melting pot of feverishly diverse religious and ethnic minorities, but by the end of the sixth century AD they already had a Catholic King. But instead of Catholicism becoming firmly entrenched throughout Spain, invasions by the Moors resulted in various regions of Spain coming under the influence of North African and Arabic tribes. The growth and strength of the Moors and their Islamic traditions reached various peaks and troughs between 800 and 1200 AD. With Moorish rulers fighting amongst themselves for control, their grip on the country remained intermitantly frail, as Christian communities battled away for freedom in specifc regions. This included the famous 'El Cid' who won control of a great deal of land north of Javea around Valencia.
That Moorish influences can still be seen in Javea should therefore not be surprising. If anything, the real surprise in Javea is the relatively limited nature of remaining evidence of Moorish influence.
The eleventh and twelf centuries saw an increasing amount of Catholic gains and also the rise of some legendary figures that have greatly influenced Spain. The defining moment though, for the modern residents of Javea is the fierce battle that took place in 1212 and the local community celebrate the final demise of Moorish influence during the annual 'Festival of the Moors and Christians'. This is a spectacular and loud celebration when the locals re-enact a key sea battle, with swords waving, guns blazing, horns blaring and fireworks.
Catholic Consolidation
Having a common Moorish enemy temporarily united the regional and opposing christian factions across, but the demise of the Moors combined with strategic alliances through royal marriages, (aimed at forging long term unity), resulted instead in a lot of enmity between christians. These diverse and competing groups from geographically widespread areas, now needed a new common enemy if all of Spain were to come under single and central control. Many cities remained Islamic strongholds and those prospering amidst both Moor and Christian were Jewish traders. Thus ensued one of the most evil periods of Spanish rule, where Royalty, noblenen and religious rulers united the people against Jewish and Islamic faiths, leading to the Infamous Spanish Inquisition in the late fifteenth century.
Rivalry Within Europe
With the end of the fifteenth century in sight, Spain's intrepid explorers were bringing in much needed wealth from the new colonies overseas, but as the king of Spain was now also head of the Holy Roman Empire, attention to domestic issues lessened and much of the new found wealth ended up in hands outside of Spain. Feuds and disputes over thrones in England and Portugal also used up a lot of valuable resources. The Spanish Armada failed and by the endo fot the seventeenth century Portugal had became an independent state.
The omens at the start of the eighteenth century did not look good and war again arose in the form of rival kingoms across Europe vying for the Spanish throne. It was only after a decade of war that peace gingerly returned. The price paid by Spain for this rivalry was greater than just the lives lost. Gibraltar was ceded to Britain and Spain lost much of its power within Europe to France. With France now in the ascendency, the Spanish aligned themslves strategically with their neighbours. However, this new allegiance meant that war was once again on the horizon if Spain was to support its neighbour now under Napoleon's control. Spain's involvement in the Napoleonic wars meant more Spanish bloodshed and the defeat of the Spanish fleet at the battle of Trafalgar led to uprising and discontent, which in turnd up the opportunity for Napolean to impose a nepotistic solution in order to control Spain. Only after Napoleon's demise did French mastery come to a slow and bitter end.
A Century of Posturing, Uncertainty and Missed Opportunity
The nineteenth century could have been used to rebuild Spain, glean riches from overseas colonies and develop a constiutional framework for the future. Instead, more feauding amongst the elite and the loss of many of its Spanish colonies, meant that the people turned elsehwere for hope. Socialism became more popular and many trades unions established themselves to improve representation. However, the opportunity was missed and by the close of the century the masses were dissolutioned and elsewhere across Europe war was once again looming.
The small town of Javea had, therefore, seen many soldiers, ethnic groups and pretend leaders come and go, long before the arrival of the twentieth century. As you look out across Javea bay from the San Antonio lighthouse, it is hard to imagine the scale and diversity of the ships and armour that have passed through the region. The town is so idyllic and unassuming you could be forgiven for thinking the people here don't have a care in the world to worry about. But given the context of history, we should not be surprised to find that the local Spanish pouplation retains a fiercely independent spirit, a natural distrust of foreigners and many deeply ingrained traditions. Nowhere is this more evident than in the annual festivals, where commemorations are held for all manner of patron saints, heroic deeds and zealously religious fiestas.
Anarchy, Civil War and Despotism .
Did this all really happen over a period of just seventy years? Without a shadow of a doubt and with much anguish. All manner of policitcal parties established themselves during the early part of the twentieth century and although it remained free from involvement in the First World War, internally its problems were mounting. Rivalry between political parties, regional separatist groups and the crown created so much anarchy that the time was ripe for the military to sieze power. Franco took the helm and the attempts by both national and regional movements to prevent him led to one of the bloodiest Civil Wars in history. This left Spain weak and in far too much internal strife to participate in World War II. Franco emerged on top and then imposed his regime brutally, remaining in effective power until his death in 1975.
A New Dawn
Franco's successor King Juan Carlos, however, did not use his inherited powers to impose his own will. Instead, he ousted members of the old regime quickly and laid down the inital rails that would lead the country to democracy. It was not an easy road and there were setbacks and problems. However, he and his successor paved the way and when Spain joined the EEC in 1986, it had pretty much ploughed the long hard road necessary. And all this despite attempted overthrows by the military, in-fighting within newly formed political parties and outrage from regional separatist groups.
Today Spain is a modern democracy, enjoying increasing prosperity and Javea can often feel far more European than Spanish even amongst Spaniards. And that is before we mention the many expats who now permanently reside in Javea. Modern politics remains a little fraught and more details on this can be found on our web page Government and Politics.