Buñol, in the province of Valencia, has a long history of more than 50 thousand years. However, the town is known by a party that is held only for the last 60 years: La Tomatina. This is one of the most celebrated days in the Valencian calendar. It is the biggest vegetable fight in the world and is the one where around 30 thousand people and 200 tons of tomato participate.   

Occupied by  Romans, Arabs Moorishes, and Frenchs, the foreign influences are appreciable in many of the city buildings, but also, in the small things of daily life.

By the end of August, big contingents of tourists begin to arrive for this cultural festival… for the beginning of La Tomatina: one of the most amusing parties in all Spain and, perhaps, in the world.

La Tomatina only takes place in this municipality. In the party, the participants throw tomatoes to each other. It is held on last Wednesday in August, during the Buñol’s parties week. Only two things are necessary to celebrate La Tomatina: many tomatoes and a lot of people. The city hall provides tomatoes and people arrive from many places to perform a war that will last only one hour, but that is indelible.  

Origin  
In 1945, during a parade of Gigantes y Cabezones, some youths, who wanted to participate in it, organized a rumpus. Near the place there was a stand of vegetables and they caught the tomatoes and used them like weapons The police had to intervene to dissolve the fight, and they sentenced the responsible to pay the damages.

The episode was so memorable that the following year a group of young persons congregated in the square with a great quantity of boxes of tomatoes. The whole town participated of the already well-known "Tomatina", in spite of the government's disapproval, which year after year, prohibited the vegetable fight.  

Modifications along its history:

In 1950, the city hall allowed the party, however, the following year it opposed himself, being held some of the participants. They were liberated quickly, thanks to the pressure put by all the neighbors.

The party was finally allowed, and to throwing tomatoes other customs were added, as dewing water and even to put rivals in fountains. Among the noise, the participants used to vent on mere spectators, included relevant personalities, thus, in 1957 the party was again prohibited even with jail.

In that year, the neighbors decided to organize what they called "the tomato funeral ", they left in procession carrying a casket with a big tomato, accompanied by music band played funeral marches in its path.

In 1959 the town definitively authorized La Tomatina, but it imposed the norm that tomatoes could only be thrown after the sound of  a rocket and they should conclude at the sound of a second rocket. The party became popular in all Spain thanks to a report by Javier Basilio released on the television program of Weekly Report.

Since 1980, the City Hall provides tomatoes to the participants, every year is bigger the number of tons used, as well as that the number of visitors.

Rules of the party:  
They are easy to complete and easier to learn:   
- It is not allowed to enter with bottles of any type or with objects that can produce accidents.   
- It is not allowed to break T-shirt.  
- Tomatoes should be mashed before thrown so that they don't damage anybody.   
- It is of supreme importance to be attentive to the path of the trucks.   
- When the second rocket is heard, throwing tomatoes should stop.   

Games, events and other activities   
Since the time to throw tomatoes to one at other only lasts one hour, La Tomatina is accompanieds by other activities. After washing up and changing clothes, people will have time to attend some games that will make them go back to their most tender childhood.

The most common activities are the sack race, or pocketed race.  Another traditional game is "greasy poles" which take place in almost all the popular parties in Spain. For the greasy poles it is necessary a tree trunk or a polished stick. On top of the stick a trophy is hung, in this case a ham, and then the whole wooden surface is lathered. The winner is the person who can climb up the lathered stick and take the trophy.

Besides the games, those who go to Buñol in these eves will be able to prove the most flavorful chocolatadas (hot chocolate) and to listen to charangas: bands of the clubs that will play the best Spanish popular music, by the sound of metals and drummer.   

The guide   
•    Date: Last Wednesday of August.
•    Places: In the Town Square, Buñol, Valencia, Spain.   
•    Events with children: Try not to participate with children in La Tomatina. They will be able to attend the other activities within this parties.
•    Transportation: It is not necessary to have a car, since the event only takes place in the Town Square.  
•    Tickets or entrances: The event doesn't have any cost.   
•    Recommendations: If you plan to stay over the night in Buñol, reserve accomodation with time enough, since the city doesn't have a large hotel capacity.   
•    How to arrive in Buñol: You can get there from Valencia by road or train. The most advisable itinerary is to approach Buñol from Valencia is, through train line C-3 of Cercanías; or by highway TO-3, Valencia-Madrid.