Paterna de Rivera

Paterna de Rivera

 

Paterna is on the Bull Route in the centre of Cádiz Province. It’s flat, with sparse vegetation. It is mainly composed of meadows and plateaus.

“Peteneras” singing competition which is an annual event is anticipated with gusto. Today, tourists flock to Paterna just to witness this event.

Paterna is known for its asparagus and its snail delicacy. It is also home for raging live bulls that get to fight in arenas all throughout the province of Andalucia. Beautiful horses have breeding grounds here, too.

Baskets woven of “esparto,” as well as other handicrafts, are available.

Spring waters of medicinal attributes lure tourists for a dip in its pools. Since the times of the Romans who lived in this town, the therapeutic effects of the water remains a mystery up to now, but it has never failed to generate influx of tourists to this town.

Definitely not just for its song but for countless other reasons.

Paterna is widely known by its nom de plume, as the “Valley of the Baths”. Its evolution as a town can be traced back to the people who came and went, for centuries, in pursuit of the curative effects of its waters. Archaeological findings revealed fossil remains and artefacts dating back to Roman times, and earlier.

Gigonza and Fuente Santa are two of its famous baths.

Enriquez de Ribera, lord of large estates at Alcala owned Paterna after it was conquered by Christian conquistadores. Ribera’s descendants improved on the area and the town was formally founded in 1503 when Enriquez built a town hall, thus the name, “Paterna de Rivera”. Though already a town, it was still attached to the town of Alcala where the Riberas held ownership. It was only in 1825 when it was finally liberated from Alcala.

Today, the town’s economy is highly dependent on agriculture and breeding of cattle, horses and bulls.

It’s famous among its neighbouring towns due to its high-breeds. Aside from its strategic location at the centre of the Bull’s Route, Paterna is also the site for “Doma Vaquera” (a type of sport where the rider held the reins with only one hand) competitions.

Some dates which may be of interest:

  • January - The Patron saint's day - San Sebastián.
  • February, March - Carnival.
  • March, April – Processions "El Toro del Aleluya"
  • May - Spring Festival.
  • July - Youth music concert.
  • "Peteneras" singing performances
  • August - Open-grounds summer activities
  • September - Feast of San Sebastian