Paterna Valencia Spain

Description:

Paterna Town

On the left-hand bank of the Turia, now embraced by the metropolitan area of Valencia, Paterna has maintained and combined its customs with the constant changes that modern life imposes.

Covered, largely, by agricultural land, the town enjoys the tranquillity and traditions of a simple life.  In spite of changes to its urban landscape, progress has created large cultural and industrial spaces, which the city needed in order to show two harmonic, complemented yet differentiated faces.

Ceramics are the principal elements of the handcrafted industry of the municipality, certain elements and characteristics separate it from the products typical to other locations. The tradition dates back over more than eight centuries, and has been demonstrated by discoveries from several archaeological sites.

In the municipality it is possible to find handcrafted pieces from the XII to XV centuries in which predominate green and purple tones and religious or geometric motifs. On the other hand, socarrats, pieces of lightly glazed clay with metallic highlights, can also be found as examples of handcrafted decorative elements made in Paterna.

Natural Science Museum

In the centre, a great perfectly catalogued and classified mineral collection. In addition, the show is designed in a very educational way in order to spread different aspects on palaeontology, zoology and ornithology.

In global numbers, the museum has more than 14,800 classified objects. Salle de Paterna

Venue:                San Luis Beltrán, 8. Colegio La Salle.     Tel. 961383800      Fax. 961383812

Opening Times:   Monday to Friday: From 10 to 13h.

Municipal Ceramics Museum

It's a unique centre because it houses an enormous ceramic collection only with peaces from Paterna. This is due to the fact that Paterna produced ceramic from the 10th and 11th centuries to the 16th century. It is the cradle of Mediterranean ceramic and its peaces are exhibited in museums all around Europe. The town used to be the economical motor of the Kingdom of Valencia and there was a massive ceramic exportation. Various pieces can be seen such as potter wheels and other interesting pieces that were rejected by their owners because they had some sort of imperfection. The museum has five rooms.

Venue:               Plaza Pueblo, 1    Tel. 961379657     Fax. 961379657

Opening Times:  Tuesday to Saturday: From 10 to 14h and from 16 to 20h.

Access

Via the Ademuz motorway (C-234), at exit 7, Burjassot-Godella.