City and municipality in Valencian Community, Spain
Photo: Enrique Íñiguez Rodríguez (Qoan), CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Paterna is a city in Valencia (province). Paterna is known primarily for being a bedroom community of Valencia, for its cave dwellings, and for its Moors and Christians celebration which culminates with the Cordà.
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Torre de Paterna / Tower of Paterna
This defensive tower is believed to have been built in the Moorish period sometime between the 11th and 12th centuries, as a square tower. It was remodeled during the 13th and 14th centuries, when it was converted to a circular tower, and it is this aspect which is unique among the watchtowers in the Valencia Community. The tower can be accessed via a circular external staircase, and the view from the top is worth the climb as on clear days it is possible to see as far north as Sagunto and as far south as Dénia.
It is believed that the custom of living in cave dwellings is Moorish in origin, and was not uncommon in areas of Andalucia. In Paterna this practice has continued until the modern era, with most underground homes clustered around the Torre Mudèjar – from above ground the dwellings can be identified by the chimneys poking through the ground surface.
Espacio Cultural Cuevas del Batán / Batán Caves Cultural Space
The cultural centre consists of a set of eight interconnected cave dwellings, which house an ethnographic exhibit, textile and blacksmith workshops, temporary exhibits, and finally a reconstruction of a furnished, traditional dwelling.
Museo de Cerámica / Museum of Ceramics
Has an extensive collection of ceramics from the Middle Ages to the modern period.
Iglesia de San Pedro / Church of St. Peter
Built in the 14th century on the site that had been occupied by the town mosque, and remodelled in the 18th century.
Fallas
As in neighbouring Valencia, this annual celebration is dedicated to San Josep (San José / St. Joseph), and includes the burning of falla monuments as well as mascletàs (gunpowder demonstrations).
Moros y Cristianos / Moors and Christians
The festivities are part of an annual two-week religious festival dedicated to San Vicente Ferrer, which includes various religious activities and community activities. For visitors the most interesting activities are the nightly Moors and Christians parades, which celebrate the 13th-century Christian reconquista. Most parades begin at around 21:00 or 22:00.
The grand finale of the annual August festivities, this is a fireworks and pyrotechnics extravaganza, with the shooting of about 70,000 rockets in the space of about half an hour. Visitors can watch from outside a caged in area on the main street.
The large establishment serves Valencian cuisine and other Spanish specialties, with a good wine selection.
Minimalist and comfortable, with non-smoking rooms, onsite restaurant, and free Wi-Fi. Free public parking is directly nearby, with an electric car charger.
street market
A weekly street market for food and odds and ends.
The city is most easily reached by Valencia's metro , which stops at Paterna metro station. From Valencia a one-way fare costs €2.10, and a round trip fare costs €4.
Read in the guideBy bus
Editania Bus operates three bus routes in Paterna. For visitors Línea A is the most useful; a journey costs €1.50 and is payable directly to the driver.
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