The history of Fallas

Fallas is a festivity celebrated in the city of Valencia from the 15th to the 19th of March every year. During Fallas people dress up with the traditional dresses from the region. Fallas are mainly known for their big monuments: the fallas, which are burnt on the 19th of March (Saint Joseph’s Day and Father’s Day in Spain) at the end of this festivity. But, where does this celebration come from?

ORIGINS

No one knows exactly where Fallas come from, but it is believed that it was already celebrated in the Middle Ages! Carpenters burnt old artifacts and pieces of wood called “parots” to celebrate the arrival of spring. Parots were used to hang their candles during winter, but in spring they were no longer necessary. Carpenters made this celebration coincide with the festival of Saint Joseph, the carpenters’ patron. 

FALLAS THEN AND NOW

It is thought that fallas were made originally with these ‘parots’ and old pieces of furniture, but the tradition continued to evolve. The ‘parots’ were then dressed and became ‘ninots’. Eventually, some of these ‘ninots’ began to represent famous people from the villages, and were used to criticise them. After a while, this celebration became popular. Fallas started to be built in Valencia on the streets. Because there were many of them, it was decided to name the festivity after these monuments: Fallas or Falles of Valencia. 

Nowadays, Fallas is one of the most famous celebrations in Spain. The monuments aren’t old pieces of furniture or ‘parots’ anymore, but artistic monuments built to be burnt.