This Monday, the blunderbuss gunpowder announced the end of the three-day festival in Alcoy, with an Alardo day that took center stage. The skirmishes, with their smoke and noise, staged the Moorish troops' attempt to surrender the city.

One of the morning's key moments was the 'estafeta', where a Moorish horseman rode through Sant Nicolau street. This year, for the first time, a woman, Almudena Pastor from the Marràqueix 'filà', led this military challenge, marking a step forward in equality within the festival.

Following the castle defenders' refusal, the Christian embassy arrived, with the Andalusos and Asturians 'filaes' taking position to defend the town. The historical recreation of the 1276 battle, known as the Alardo, began after peaceful negotiations proved impossible, culminating in the Moors conquering the castle.

In the Alardo, over 1,700 revelers participate, firing thousands of kilos of gunpowder in an act considered by some to be the most intimate of the festival. It is essential to protect oneself with glasses and earplugs, and to exercise great caution when loading and firing the gunpowder.

In the afternoon, the 'estafeta' and Christian embassy were repeated, followed by the afternoon Alardo. Another woman, Sandra Terol from the Andalusos 'filà', was the first from the Christian side to deliver the 'estafeta'. The arquebus battle continued, with skirmishes in Plaça d'Espanya featuring the retreating Moorish side and the advancing Christian side. The day concluded with the traditional symbolic combat with bladed weapons between the Moorish and Christian captains and the taking of the castle by the Christian side, and at night, with the appearance of Sant Jordiet and the evening meals.