Overview
Where
When
Getting There
Accommodations
Tips
Travelers’ Tales
Media – Pics and Videos
Additional Resources
La Tomatina is the largest food fight event in the world. In 2007, over 40,000 people participated in hurling 250,000 lbs. (115kg) of ripe tomatoes at each other.
The event first began around 1945 — its exact origins are unknown. One popular theory tells that unhappy townspeople one day peppered the mayor with tomatoes and enjoyed it so much that they repeated it the next year. And the year after that. And the year after that. And thus, La Tomatina was born. Today, the festival is held in honor of Bunol’s patron saint, Luis Bertain, and the Virgin Mary.
The event kicks off with the jambon de polo competition. Contestants attempt to scramble up a pole greased with lard to capture the leg of ham (jambon) at the top. To do this, the pole needs to be ungreased. As the contestants scramble up, the lard rubs off on their clothes and skin, making the next attempt easier. Eventually, someone makes it to the top and grabs the ham. Then, the water comes out! Firemen proceed to hose down the entire crowd with cold water in anticipation of the upcoming food fight.At noon, a shot rings outand the trucks arrive! Large trucks carrying thousands of pounds of tomatoes enter the square. Volunteers on the trucks proceed to dump the tomatoes onto the crowd below. The trucks soon leave and the fight begins! Members of the frenzied mob hurl tomatoes at anyone and
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everyone they see. Clothes are ripped off, tomatoes are flying, and the ground turns red and slippery.The world’s largest food fight lasts for one hour, but it’s an incredibly long hour of excitement. Around 1PM, the fight ends, and the hoses come back out. Firemen spray the audience and clean the streets, as do some of the residents of Bunol. Most of the crowd proceeds to head to the river, where temporary showers are setup.
Where:The Plaza del Pueblo in Buñol, Spain (occasionally spelled ‘Bunyol’). Buñol is roughly 25mi (40km) from Valencia.
When:A Wednesday around the end of August. The event lasts for roughly 3 hours, from 11AM-1PM, including the climbing of the pole. The actual tomato throwing part only lasts for one hour. Check the official site for exact details.
Getting There: Because Bunol is a small town with few hotels, it’s best to stay in nearby Valencia and take the 50 minute train ride in. The trains depart every hour from Valencia the day of the event. Tickets and schedules may be purchased and viewed at RENFE, Spain's National Railway site. The English site is here
By Plane: Search for the cheapest tickets now with CheapTickets Flights Tab
Book Online at Hostel World
HI Hostel at Center Valencia
Hôme Youth Hostels
Nest Hotels
Russafa Youth Hostel
- Rules – Squish your tomato in your hand before throwing it.
- Don’t bring an expensive camera. Instead, bring a cheap disposable one.
- Consider bringing goggles to protect your eyes.
- Wear a bathing suit underneath your clothes. Chances are, they’ll be ripped off during the mayhem of the event.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be doing a lot of running around.
- If you’re taking the train from Valencia, try to leave as early as possible in the morning. The trains get packed as the event draws nearer.
Great description of the 2003 event
Paul Dodson's Experience at Boots n All
Brian and Louise Chris
Pics:
credit: A. www.viajar24h.com
The Jabon de Polo Contest:
The trucks arrive:
Fight!
Newscast of the event (in Spanish)
Additional Resources: La Tomatina Official Site
