Paterna

Paterna origins are directly linked to the benefits derived from the medicinal waters in the area.

The Roman families from Cádiz visited the baths in the nearby Gigonza, which is famous for its medicinal spa. Bysantines and Visigoths were other visitors. The Moslims also made use of the Fuente Santa and Gigonza baths "Valley of the Baths".

In the 19th century the number of visitors to the Gigonza and Fuente Santa medicinal baths increased considerably between June and September, thus improving the local population's standard of living.

Paterna de Riviera continues to maintain its old traditions and its economy is now based on agriculture and livestock, for which it is very well known.

Paterna is also famous for its herds of fighting bulls, and is at the very heart of the Bull's Route. It has been the site of the Andalucian "Doma Vaquera" championships, the Spanish Campionships in '97 and the European Campionships in 2001.