The Valencia Mascletà

Smoke fills the sky during a pyrotechnic event in Valencia, Spain's Town Hall Square. Flashes of light from fireworks light up the smoke. Emergency workers in bright uniforms stand in the foreground as the spectacle unfolds against a backdrop of historic architecture, including the clock tower of the Town Hall. Signs for McDonald's and "FALLES" are visible on the street.

Wikipedia says, “A mascletà (pronounced in Valencian: [maskleˈta]) is a pyrotechnic event characterized by the achievement of a noisy and rhythmic composition that features, particularly during daytime, in street festivities; it is typical of the Valencian Community (Spain). It gets its name from the masclets (very loud firecrackers) that are tied by a wick to form a line or firework display. These are usually fastened at a medium height with ropes or raised by cannons.”

They are LOUD. The sound reverberates around the city centre, and you can feel it shake your body, and even into your legs. Quite an experience!

I did try to protect my ears, but it’s two days later, and there’s a remnant of the mascletà still ringing gently in my left ear since this morning when I woke up. Only time will tell if that is permanent.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length24mm
ISO640
Shutter speed1/1000s