Paterna is a city and a municipality in the province of Valencia in the Valencian Community, Spain. It is located northeast of the comarca of L'Horta de Valencia, 5 km northwest of the inland suburbs of Valencia, and on the left bank of the river Turia. Its population in 2014 was 67,156 inhabitants, being the eleventh city by population in the Valencian Community.

Geography

The town is characterized by a dry Mediterranean climate, with an average annual rainfall around 400 mm and temperatures ranging from 5 °C minimum in January to 32 °C maximum in August, reaching every summer peaks above 40 °C.

History

The first signs of human settlement in Paterna go back to the Neolithic and Bronze Age, and relics have been found in settlements of The Vallesa and Despeñaperros, in an area of small hills near the river Turia, which allowed the water supply. The Iberians also left their imprint in The Vallesa and Despeñaperros, where there have been found remains of a defensive wall and the walls of small huts. Documentation relating to the arrival of the Romans is limited to literary references of events near Valentia, Edeta and Saguntum. It is believed that it was at this time the original place name of Paterna was first used which is supposed to make reference to the Latin word "Paternus" or belonging to the father, alluding to the social and legal status of the property. In the municipal district, there have been found remains of an aqueduct system that extends to Massamagrell and might link through to Sagunto, a large Roman site. In February 2009, the excavation of a plot which was planned for housing led to the discovery of the ruins of a Roman villa, dated between the 1st and 3rd centuries. This offers a new twist to the known history of the city and becomes the first traces of a Roman habitation between Valencia and Llíria. In the Moslem period, Paterna developed a manufacturing and pottery industry and also began development of agriculture, including new irrigated lands and the introduction of crops such as rice and oranges. On April 10, 1237, at 3.13 PM, there is a peaceful entry of King James I of Aragon into the Paterna area that precipitated the Second Slaughter of the Gingers in Paterna. According to the Book of Distribution, the farm of Paterna was given to Artal de Luna, one of those appointed by James I to write the Jurisdictions. The Luna family become feudal lords from the 13th to 15th century, when the ceramic from Paterna reached full production. In the 16th century, there was a crisis in ceramic production and the local economy in general. In 1436 Alfonso the Magnanimous gave possession of Paterna to the infant Henry, son of Ferdinand I of Antequera and Duke of Segovia. The Expulsion of the Moriscos forced the Muslim population into exile and consequently Paterna suffered depopulation and subsequent economic stagnation. In the Old Regime, the political crisis further exacerbated the deteriorating political, social and economic context of which Paterna was a part. By Royal Decree, in 1769 the cultivation of rice was banned to help prevent malarial fevers. In the 19th century agriculture reappeared, and the first cave-houses were built. That same century a water pipeline was built (1866), and a new building for City Hall was constructed in 1881. In 1888 a narrow gauge railway was built (inaugurated April 22, 1888), forming part of the Valencia–Llíria line, which greatly improved communication. Population growth starts slowly with a flow of immigration and the enlargement of Paterna with the construction of The Camp neighborhood with houses and chalets for bourgeoisie from Valencia, and a military barracks for protection of the city In the 20th century the creation of the industrial area, Polígono Fuente del Jarro, generated a strong demand for labor that subsequently attracted a flow of immigration that changed the economy and the urban aspect of Paterna.

Demography

Paterna had about 3,505 inhabitants in 1900. The creation of the Polígono Fuente del Jarro industrial area favored immigration between 1950 and 1970 in which Paterna experienced significant social and urban change, coming up triple the population. The current population growth is due to the creation of new residential areas and the expansion of industrial areas in the municipality. In 2014, the number of inhabitants was 67,156 according to the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE).

Neighborhoods and districts

The nuclei of the municipality are: Urban Center (Center, Alborgí, Campament, Santa Rita), La Canyada (El Pantio, Montecañada, La Vallesa), Mas del Rosary (La Coma), Terramelar, Lloma Llarga (Valterna) and Bobalar (Casas Verde, Creu de Gràcia and Santa Gemma). In addition, Paterna has four industrial parks: Fuente del Jarro, Tactica, L'Andana and Parque Tecnológico.

Demographic Statistics 2004

Local politics

Paterna is located in l'horta, an area known as the red belt due to its tendency to vote for left wing parties. The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) held the mayoralty from the 1979 local elections until 2007 when the People's Party won an absolute majority. A PSOE-led coalition ruled from 2015 until 2019, when the PSOE won an absolute majority for the first time since 1991.

Summary of council seats won

Source: *Results for the Communist Party of Spain. In 1986 they joined with other parties to form the current United Left.

Economy

The service sector represents 56% of global economic activity in the municipality. Industry accounts for 33.2%, construction 9.8% and agriculture 1%. Paterna is nestled in one of the most important industrial areas of southern Europe. In the town there are: the Industrial area Fuente del Jarro, L'Andana, the city's business Tactica and the Technological Park of Valencia. Industrial production is very diversified: food, textiles, wood, leather, metal, chemical, plastics, transportation, electricity ...

Economic Statistics 2004

Paterna Ceramics

In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Paterna was one of the major ceramic production centers in Spain competing with notable centers as Manises and Teruel, reaching its distribution throughout the Mediterranean. Known ceramics are plates, bowls, pharmacy jars painted in blue and gold and decorated in green and manganese. The pictures are varied: human figures, animals, plants or heraldic. The socarrat (15th century) is the most distinctive piece of Paterna's pottery. They are pieces of clay with a rectangular shape that were used for decoration of palaces and mansions, including eaves and ceilings. A large sample is exposed at the Museum of Ceramics in Paterna, which manages the loan of pieces to other museums and exhibitions. Currently there are ceramic pieces from Paterna in the National Archaeological Museum (Madrid) and in other museums of Valencia, Barcelona, Paris, London or New York.

Transportation

The main roads of Paterna are:

Public transport

Patrimony

In May 2000 the city of Paterna acquired the status of tourist interest by the Generalitat Valenciana.

Education

The Lycée Français de Valence (LFV), the French international school serving Valencia, is located in Paterna.

Culture

Festivals

Gastronomy

In addition to the typical cuisine of the area of Valencia: paella, rice and vegetables, stands out the cachap: a sweet pastry filled with a special typical cream of Paterna.

Twin towns

Notable people