“Las Fallas de Valencia”
Las Fallas Festival in
 Valencia

After a year of preparations, Valencia is ready yet again to light up the skies and celebrate San Jose (Saint Josephs) on March 19.

During the year the Fallas are prepared. The “Ninots” (hilarious figures created out of wood, papier-mache and wax) depicting all kinds of people, movie stars, politicians, Disney like characters etc.

All to be set on fire on March 19th. WHAT!  Read on…

First, there is the “plantan” about 4 days prior, where the Fallas / Ninots are mounted for display in all the plazas (squares) of the city, where everyone can view them and decide which one they like the best.  Sadly they will be burned at the end of the festival. Good news is, the best is “indultado” or pardoned by popular vote, and will up in the fabulous Museum of Ninots, a wonderful place to visit while in Valencia.

There are religious processions and “comparsas” or parades, where the children show off their beautiful  national costumes of lace and sequins etc.

On March 18, is the “Ofrenda de Flores” where all the comparsas parade, laden with flowers, to the Cathedral, where they are deposited and a monument of flowers in made.  That night “La Nit del Foc” night of fire, there is a magnificent firework display.

On March 19 at midnight the whole city is ablaze. All the ninots, (hundreds of them) which are surrounded by hundreds of firworks, are burned except the one in the square of the town hall, which is the best of them all. This is set alight a 1:00 am in the morning. That is the end of the “Fallas de Valencia” for the year.  Tomorrow, they begin all over again for next year. And a grand time was had by everyone.

Other facts about Valencia:The city has a priceless Gothic-style architectural heritage, including the Lonja and a medieval cathedral and it’s octagonal “El Miguelete” bell tower and impressive city gates.

Museums include: the Museum of Ninots, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Valencia Institute of Modern Art. The newest attraction is the science museum.

Valencia is located on the Mediterranean coast, and very close to 2 large sandy beaches. Other resort areas include Gandia, Oliva and Cullera.

There is plenty to do in the evenings in Valencia. There are many discos that are open till the wee small hours of the morning.  Also there are many fine restaurants, serving delicious fresh sea food such as the paella or fideua (same as paella, but made with noodles-scrumptious!) meat dishes and lots more.