La Cordà, the culmination of the Firework Festival, is held on the last Sunday of August in Paterna, a small city about 10 km from Valencia. On this morning, the sky is filled with fireworks as a pyrotechnic parade moves through the main street, with tens of thousands of fireworks ignited in less than 30 minutes. Paterna celebrates the end of summer with this spectacular display of fire and gunpowder, making it a highlight of the town's annual festivities.
Pyrotechnic Parade
When the mythical night of La Cordà arrives, the so-called tiradores (shooters) gather at Calle Mayor, where the festivities kick off. Dressed in traditional leather suits to protect them from burns, they await the starting shot. Both professional and amateur rocket launchers gather in a specially designed area, the “cohetódromo,” wearing protective clothing to avoid burns. They enjoy the fire and noise of the rockets, creating a spectacular display of lights and colors for the spectators. Due to the danger, the audience remains a few hundred meters away for safety. Over 55,000 rockets and fireworks are set off in a half-hour show, meaning about 2,000 fireworks are fired each minute.
Origins of La Corda de Paterna
The tradition of La Cordà dates back centuries, originating in the small town of Paterna, which had a strong link with gunpowder and pyrotechnics. Each year, groups of friends gathered to celebrate the town’s patron saints, Cristo de la Fe and Saint Vincente Ferrer, with fireworks and smoke, filling the streets with loud bangs and colorful sparkles. Over time, this impromptu celebration gained regional fame and drew many spectators. Recognizing its popularity, Paterna’s government designated it an official festival, held annually on the last Sunday of August. Today, La Cordà is one of the most visited events in the Valencia region. In 2017, it was granted the title of Festivity of National Tourist Interest by the Spanish government.
