Paterna offers a range of themes for a stay: underground dwellings, ceramics, defensive architecture and activities in Bosc de la Vallesa. You can choose your focus based on whether you would like to learn more about historic ways of living and crafts, or explore the architectural history of Torre de Paterna. Walks, running and cycling add an active option to the cultural themes.
Cave Dwellings and Their History
The Cuevas de Paterna are underground dwellings excavated in geologically distinctive soils at the boundary between irrigated farmland and dryland. The Cuevas del Batán and Cuevas del Castillo groups probably originated in the Arab period; their use became established in the 18th and 19th centuries. Their origins should therefore be understood as a probable historical classification, while their later use became more significant during those centuries.
The Espai Cultural Coves del BatĂ comprises eight interconnected cave dwellings covering a total area of 450 square metres. It also features ethnological exhibitions arranged by theme. The dwellings themselves and the exhibition themes thus represent two distinct aspects: the caves showcase an underground form of housing, while the exhibitions organise ethnological content by theme. As schedules may change, check the latest visiting hours before planning your visit.
Ceramics Between the Collection and the Town’s History
The Museo Municipal de Cerámica de Paterna holds around 9,000 inventoried medieval and modern-era ceramic pieces. The categories mentioned include Socarrats and Rodells, as well as green-and-manganese, blue, everyday and lustreware ceramics. The variety of the collection makes ceramics the museum’s central theme; the pieces encompass different types and decorations rather than focusing on just one form of ceramics.
The museum is housed in a former town hall building dating from 1881. Its presentation covers Paterna’s pottery tradition from the 12th or 13th century through to the late 16th century. Two points in time should be kept distinct: the building dates from the 19th century, while the pottery tradition covered goes back much further. Anyone interested in crafts and everyday history will find a different way to explore the town’s history here than through its cave dwellings or defensive architecture.
Torre de Paterna and Festival Culture
Torre de Paterna was built between the late 11th and early 12th centuries as part of Valencia’s defensive belt. It has three floors and a terrace with panoramic views over the Huerta de Valencia. In 1971, the tower was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural. Its construction period, defensive function, architectural layout and subsequent recognition describe different aspects of the same structure.
La Cordà de Paterna is also part of the town’s cultural identity: the festival is recognised as an intangible Bien de Interés Cultural and as a festival of national tourist interest. The annual programme may vary. If you would like to coordinate your trip with the festival, check the dates for your planned visit period.
Planning Activities and Guided Tours
You can walk, run and cycle in Bosc de la Vallesa. These activities offer a different way to spend time in Paterna than visiting the caves, the ceramics museum or the tower. You can therefore weigh up time spent being active in Bosc against the different cultural and historical themes, without having to follow a set order.
Tourist Info Paterna offers groups free guided tours of the municipality’s main monuments and museums by prior reservation. There are also monthly changing routes and guided tours available by prior registration. If you would like to plan a group tour, check the current offering and booking process in advance, as availability and procedures may change. This will help you decide whether a reserved tour or exploring a particular topic on your own is a better fit for your stay.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Jarafuel, Bocairent, Loriguilla, Bufali, Casas de Cuadra, Titaguas, Favara, Monserrat.
Return to the main travel guide: Valencia.
