Las Fallas or spring start in Valencia

It happens every year and each time the city of Valencia turns into a hotspot for a week. Starting on March 15 (father’s day), ninots are set up in the streets. They are awesome cartoon looking figures made out of papier-mâché and can reach a height up to 15 meters! After a previous voting, the best ninot is chosen and is saved from the bonfire on March 19 at midnight when all the other ninots are burnt to ground.

During the 5 day festivity at 2pm on Plaza del Ayuntamiento firecrackers (mascleta) are lit and turn the city center into the noisiest place on earth every day and announce the beginning of spring in Spain. Crazy, right?

Unfortunately, I couldn’t see the bonfires this year but I get a second chance during Hogueras de San Juan (19 until 24 June), a very similar festivity in Alicante! You can be sure that a second post will follow here with hopefully spectacular photos! Stay tuned!

sA

(pics by P. Bovey)