Dénia will host an act in memory of the victims of the 'Great Raid' against the gypsy people of 1749

On Wednesday 30 July 1749, synchronously throughout the Spanish territory and organized in secret by the Marquis of Ensenada and the Governor of the Council of Castilla began The Great Swoop, Also known as General prison of gypsies.

This persecution was authorized by the king Ferdinand VI of Spain, and had as objective to arrest, and finally to "extinguish", to all gypsies and gypsies of the Kingdom of Spain. The operation began at twelve o'clock 30 July 1749, at which time was arrested and removed from their homes to all gypsies and gypsies to separate them then by sex to prevent them from procreating and enforcing their extermination. Between 9.000 and 12.000 people of all ages were arrested that night. Sixteen years later almost 4.000 were still in prison when Charles III granted pardon in 1765.

Castle of Dénia, as well as the castle of Santa Bárbara, in Alicante, served as transitory deposits from which the captives and the captives were sent to their final destinations. Almost all men and boys over 7 years of age were sent to the Cartagena Arsenal, where they were subjected to forced labor in the construction of ships whose purpose was the recomposition of the Royal Navy. While women, girls and boys under 7 years of age were assigned to the so-called Houses of Mercy, Where they were subjected to forced laundry and sewing.

Centuries after this persecution, the Ajuntament de Dénia and the Autonomous Federation of Gypsy Associations of the Valencian Community Have organized an act of homage to the memory of the victims of The Great Swoop In the castle of Denia.

will be next Thursday July 20, From 19 hours in the Castle, and will be open to all citizens. The event will begin with a guided tour of the castle which will continue at 20 hours, a conference in La Sala del Castell titled Dénia and the gypsy woman in the history of Spain, Who will teach the doctor in History by the University of Almería, Manuel Martínez Martínez. Manuel Martínez has focused his line of research on the social history of Spain and, more specifically, on the history of the gypsy people.