La Cordà
More than 300 kg of gunpowder, a metal cage, 60 pyrotechnicians, and 20 minutes of explosions. The Cordà is Valencia’s way of ushering in Fallas.
La Cordà in a nutshell
La Cordà is a high-intensity firework spectacle held on Fallas’ eve in Valencia. Inside a metal cage in Plaza del Ayuntamiento, expert tiradores ignite a 20-minute pyrotechnic display. Introduced in 2022, it originates from Paterna, where the tradition dates back 200 years.
Location: Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Valencia.
Time: Held on the last Saturday of February, the night before the Crida (Fallas’ official opening ceremony). Hasn’t been confirmed for Fallas 2025.
Entry: Free to attend; spectators should arrive early as streets may be closed due to crowd control.
The Cordà is one of the most recent additions to the Fallas festival. As you might have noticed, when it comes to this festivity, Valencians have a penchant for theatrics. The Cordà, a Fallas’ Eve celebration of sorts, certainly lives up to the reputation.
This firework show takes place in Valencia’s Plaza del Ayuntamiento, inside a 600 square metres (almost 6.5 thousand square feet) metal cage. Inside it, safely distanced from the public but still within view, expert pyrotechnicians called tiradores, set off thousands of fireworks, firecrackers, and explosives of all kinds.
Since the display fits so perfectly with the dramatic and incendiary spirit of Fallas, you might be surprised to find out that the Cordà is actually an imported tradition. Admittedly, it doesn’t come from very far away. It is originally celebrated in Paterna, a small town in the Valencian region.
In 2022, local authorities agreed to add this event to the Fallas celebrations, as to honour the strong pyrotechnic heritage and traditions that characterise the entire region. It was thus decided that the Cordà would be integrated into Fallas on the eve of the Crida, Fallas’ official opening ceremony.
During the Cordà in Valencia, inside the metal cage, around 350 kg (more than 750 pounds) of gunpowder are distributed over 36 posts. Each is managed by experts that fire the explosives in a grand show, lasting around 20 minutes. Even though the city is not lacking in firework shows and explosions during the festival, the Cordà truly offers something different, reminding us that Fallas is not just exclusive to the city. Rather it speaks to a regional tradition of gunpowder, fire, and joy.
Cordà de Paterna
As mentioned, the Cordà is originally an event celebrated in Paterna - a town 8 km (around 5 miles) northwest of Valencia. In Paterna, the Cordà takes place on the last Sunday of August, punctuating the end of the local Fiestas Mayores with a firework show.
Paterna’s Cordà is pretty much the same as the one in Valencia, if just a lot more cemented as a tradition. It does, after all, have 200 years of history there. At night, the city becomes the stage for a pyrotechnic display of magnificent proportions.
This protective cage is the same one you’ll find in Valencia’s own version of the Cordà on the occasion of the Fallas festival. Professional pyrotechnicians, dressed up head to toe in protective gear, fire thousands of fireworks and firecrackers within the confines of a prepared area, known as the cohetódromo - the cage.
Additionally, firecrackers are hung on a rope that runs from one end of the main street to the other, lighting up the asphalt in dozens of colours as they go off.
Tiradores
The tiradores are the expert (and certified) pyrotechnicians that make the display inside the Cordà’s metal cage possible. There are around 60 of them, chosen at random among Paterna’s many experts.
The tiradores have to dress in adequate gear since they are working in extreme proximity to explosives. This includes galvanised steel helmets that cover their entire faces, full-body suits made of cowhide leather, as well as protective boots and gloves.
Practical Information
The Cordà is normally held on the last Saturday of February, on the eve of the Crida, in the city’s main square.
The Cordà has not been confirmed for 2025.
Entry is free, and we recommend you start arriving at least 30 minutes in advance, as the square fills up early on for the event, and the police might close the nearby streets to avoid dangerous overcrowding.
Restricted Areas
Of course, the inside of the cage set up in Plaza del Ayuntamiento is off-limits for anyone who is not part of the pyrotechnic personnel. For safety reasons, a perimeter is also set up around the metal cage, so that spectators can watch from a safe distance.
Best Spots to Watch the Fireworks Display
The cage for the Cordà is set up at the southern end of Plaza del Ayuntamiento, in front of the Correos building. Anything on that side or in front of the Ayuntamiento building will guarantee an excellent view of the event.
Remember that, as the square fills up, the nearby streets are closed off to avoid dangerous overcrowding, so it’s good to come by early and secure a good spot within view of the cage.
Transportation
Since the Cordà takes place in Plaza del Ayuntamiento, if you are already in Valencia’s Ciutat Vella, the easiest way is to reach it on foot. Your public transport options are detailed below.
Remember that some Valenbisi stations or public transport lines might be disrupted with Fallas events, so always check your apps.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Here you can find quick answers to all of your questions. Linked, you’ll find the articles or the sections of the articles that can give you more detailed information.
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The Cordà is a firework display that precedes the opening ceremony of Fallas.
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No, it has only recently been included as a Fallas tradition in the city of Valencia. Originally, the Cordà was a celebration from Paterna.
If you’d like to know more about the original Cordà, you can check the relevant section of this article.
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The tradition of the Cordà is from Paterna, a town in the Valencia region (just 8 km north of Valencia city, about 5 miles).
If you’d like to know more about the original Cordà, you can check the relevant section of this article.
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The Cordà that opens the Fallas festival in Valencia takes place on the last Saturday of February, the day before the Crida.
If you want to know more about the schedule of this event, check out the relevant section of this article.
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The Cordà in Valencia takes place in Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
The Cordà in Paterna - which has nothing to do with Fallas - takes place in Calle Mayor, Paterna.
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Yes, absolutely. The technicians are experts with years of experience in the field. They set up everything to keep people safe during the show.
Safety measures include a massive metal cage in which the fireworks are set off, a safety perimeter to distance the public, and protective clothing for the workers.
Emergency services and personnel is also present on site.
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The Cordà is a celebration of fire originating in Paterna, and as such it has been chosen as an opening spectacle for Fallas. It links the Fallas festival with a wider regional tradition of gunpowder.
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The Cordà’s pyrotechnic show normally lasts 20 minutes, although the arrangement of the site takes much longer. You can see the cage in Plaza del Ayuntamiento being set up days ahead.
