The Traditions of Falles

The Origins of Falles

The Falles festival is a traditional celebration that takes place in Valencia, Spain, every year in March. This popular event has its origins in the Middle Ages when carpenters used wooden planks, known as parots, to hang their candles and torches on the streets to illuminate their workshops during the long winter evenings. Over time, this tradition evolved into the Falles festival that we know today.

The Falles Monuments

One of the main attractions of the Falles festival is the construction of elaborate monuments made of wood, papier-mâché, and other materials. These monuments, known as ninots, depict satirical scenes and characters that mock politicians, celebrities, and current events. Each neighborhood in Valencia competes to build the most impressive ninot, and at the end of the festival, they are all set on fire in a spectacular display of fireworks and flames.

The Falles Processions

Throughout the Falles festival, there are daily processions where locals, dressed in traditional attire, parade through the streets carrying flowers and offering them to the Virgin Mary. These processions are accompanied by music, dancing, and fireworks, creating a lively and colorful atmosphere that attracts thousands of visitors from around the world.

The Falles Culmination

The Falles festival culminates on the night of March 19th, known as the Nit del Foc (Night of Fire). This is when all the ninots are set on fire in a blaze of glory, lighting up the night sky and marking the end of the festival. The following day, March 20th, is the final day of the celebration, known as La Crema, where the remaining monuments are burned, and the streets are filled with the smell of smoke and ash.