The Tomatina

Probably you wonder if…is the festival really about gathering hundreds of people is in a narrow street and throwing tomatoes? Well, that´s exactly what it´s about!

History:

The festival started back in 1945 when an annual parade of enormous figures with big heads (called Gigantes y Cabezudos) was passing through the streets of the village. And suddenly it seems that some youngsters tried to join in the parade and –accidentally- knocked over one of the giants who got to his feet. In retaliation the youngsters grabbed some tomatoes from a nearby vegetable stall and started throwing them at him. And…within no time everyone was throwing tomatoes at each other in Buñol.

The result was so funny that was welcomed not only by neighbours but from then, it has become an internationally known traditional festival, held the last Wednesday of August.

Some tips for the Tomatina:

The first is going to Buñol village. Buños is very close to Valencia, so the train is the best option. The train ticket is cheap and takes you directly from the center of Valencia to the Buñol village station, close to the Tomatina event.

Above all! You must think about how to return to Valencia. Even after a traditional dip in the river of the village, your clothes end up being useless and the smell and stains of tomato will accompany. For that reason it is not advisable to use your own car.

Clothes for the Tomatina:

If you wear shoes, make sure they are old, comfortable and can be adjusted firmly. But if you wear flip-flops, you´ll lose them for sure. From now on in the Tomatina consider your wardrobe a victim of war, you most likely lose it, will get thorn apart or simply can´t remove all the tomato stains.

It is very advisable to wear goggles, because the acid of the tomato easily irritated your eyes. But don´t use your own sun glasses, or expensive glasses, as they would not survive.

Be sure that your camera is waterproof or that you keep it in a safe place.

There is no need to bring your own tomatoes, as through the streets of Buñol will pass trucks loaded with tomatoes and the people on them will be throwing the first “tomato-bullets. ” With the tomatoes from the streets you can return the impact to anyone you want. Eventually it forms a  pool of tomato broth. The most important advice is that you be careful with the trucks!

Finally remember that THIS IS A PARTY, so celebrate with good humor!