The Accidental Origin (1945)
La Tomatina did not start as a religious ritual or political decree. In August 1945, during a parade of gigantes y cabezudos (giants and big-heads), a group of young men attempted to join the procession. In the chaos, one participant fell off a parade float and flew into a fit of rage, grabbing vegetables from a nearby market stall and pelting bystanders.
The crowd responded in kind, turning the town square into an open-air battle ground until local authorities intervened. The following year, youngsters recreated the fight intentionally, bringing their own tomatoes from home.
Key Tradition Profile
Location: Plaza del Pueblo, Buñol, Valencia, Spain
Volume: Over 120 metric tons (260,000 lbs) of low-grade tomatoes
Duration: Exactly 1 hour (11:00 AM to 12:00 PM)
The Palo Jabón Pre-Ritual
Before any tomato is thrown, a crucial prelude takes place at around 10:00 AM. A two-story wooden pole covered in thick grease (Palo Jabón) is erected in the central square, with a cured Spanish ham tied to the top. Spectators climb over each other to retrieve the ham. Once a climber successfully grabs the ham, a water cannon fires, signaling the start of the tomato trucks entering the narrow streets.
Official Rules of Engagement
- Tomatoes must be squashed prior to throwing to reduce impact injury.
- No other projectiles or hard items (like bottles or cans) are permitted.
- Participants must yield to incoming supply trucks.
- When the second signal shot fires, all tomato throwing must cease instantly.
For more official ticketing information and traveler advisories, visit the official municipal board:
Visit Official La Tomatina Website →