Cádiz | Paterna de Rivera

from the Roman period

Although it has been populated since the Neolithic, most unearthed remains date from the Roman period; interesting discoveries include villas with fabulous mosaic floors, tombs and coins from Gades. In that period, settlers were already enjoying the medicinal properties of the baths at Fuente Santa and Gigonza. As a result, this area became known as the “valle de los Baños”. Muslim presence has also been confirmed following the discovery of numerous artefacts, such as the Almohad Oil Lamp (12th Century).

After the Christian Reconquest, the town came under the domain of the Estate of Ribera, which built the Town Hall-Council building several centuries later in 1503. The town was named “Paterna de Rivera” in honour of the Ribera Family and remained under the domain of Alcalá de los Gazules until it gained independence in 1825. Paterna is famous for being the cradle of the “cante por peteneras”, a Flamenco song style named after the “cantaora” (singer) credited with originally singing the song. Dolores la Petenera, a woman who revolutionized the “cante jondo’s” province.

The town has erected a beautiful monument in her honour and also hosts the National Peteneras Song Competition. The main monuments in this white Andalusian village are the Gothic and Renaissance-style Nuestra Señora de la Hiniesta Parish Church (16th Century) built in the town’s main square, and the 17th century House of Don Perafán de Ribera, a beautiful example of popular domestic architecture.