La Pobla de Farnals
La Pobla de Farnals is a municipality of l’Horta Nord, located 13.3 km from Valencia. The village has a population of about 7,400 inhabitants. The municipality has traditionally been dedicated to agriculture, although there is now a large industrial and, above all, tourism presence.
Gastronomy:
Mention may be made of the wide variety of rice dishes, and especially paella, served in the many local restaurants. This wide range of rice dishes includes “arròs amb fessols i naps” (rice with beans and turnip), “arroz a banda” (rice with fish stock) and, above all, paella.
Places of interest:
Mention may be made of the beach, on which activities are programmed for the old and the young alike during the summer.
The marina, just 5 nautical miles from the Port of Valencia, is the second in the province of Valencia and the closest to Madrid, an important factor to be taken into account bearing in mind the large number of tourists from Madrid who spend their summer holidays in the municipality.
The Church of Saint Joseph, the heart of village, is the historical vestige of the municipality. Although there is currently no museum, the “Casa de la Cultura” hosts a wide range of exhibitions throughout during the year, as does the beachfront “Veles i Vents” building.
Festivities:
“Fallas”, held from 15th to 19th March, accompanied by parades, shows, “despertà” and the “cremà” (when the “Fallas” monuments are burnt) on the night of 19th March.
On the night of Saint John, 23rd June, bonfires are lit and street dances are held.
At the beginning of September, shows, paella competitions, sports and cultural competitions and bull-running are organized in honour of the patron saints, Saint Felix, Saint Joseph, Saint Francis and the Immaculate Conception.
Festivities are held in mid-July in honour of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, of great tradition among the local fishermen. Events include cultural, religious, recreational and sporting events, culminating with the Fishermen’s Procession, during which an effigy of Our Lady is taken to sea amid a fleet of boats.
