Bon día! Here is your Monday news update for the week.
Taking Stock of Fallas
The town of Paiporta in L’Horta Sud marked the end of Fallas with an emotional Cremà ceremony, burning down their solidarity monument “Som” this weekend. Paiporta was among the hardest-hit areas during October’s devastating floods. Levante has more.
Meanwhile, a huge explosion near Calle Tomás de Montañana early Friday morning startled residents. A homemade explosive left a one-meter crater and injured a street cleaner. El País has the details. Police are investigating a group of foreign pyrotechnic enthusiasts who traveled to Valencia for Fallas to test illegal homemade explosives, which they showcased on social media. More from Levante.
Now that Fallas is over, the city is taking stock. Rain dampened attendance on some days, leading to a more “normal and civilized” celebration, according to Valencia Extra. However, the overcrowding on sunnier days highlighted concerns over the festival’s growing impact on the city. Levante explores this issue further.
Flood Recovery
The Generalitat has estimated the damage from October’s floods at nearly 18 billion euros—a staggering sum. El Español reports.
Recovery remains slow. More than 6,000 elevators in flood-affected areas are still out of service, leaving many elderly and vulnerable residents stranded in upper-floor apartments. More from El Español.
Changing City
- Boom in Rural Fincas: Sales of rural properties in Valencia are surging as buyers look for second homes. Las Provincias reports.
- Wild Boar Invasion: Rural homeowners face a growing challenge—wild boar populations have increased by over 200% in the last decade. More from Las Provincias.
- Tourist Housing Overload: Key neighborhoods—including Campanar, El Botànic, and El Grau—have already surpassed the recommended limits for tourist housing. Valencia Plaza analyzes the impact.
New Coffee Trend?
A new café in Valencia has gone viral on social media for its unconventional pricing strategy: a regular coffee costs double unless you order it using a specific insult. El Español explains.
That’s all for this Monday! I’ll be back with another news roundup on Thursday. Have a great week!