La Tomatina’s origin is traced to the last Wednesday of August 1945, when young people pushed into a parade of musicians, giants and big-headed figures in Buñol. A participant fell, a scuffle broke out and tomatoes from a nearby vegetable stall became improvised ammunition. The next year, participants returned with their own tomatoes, turning an unruly moment into a recurring local custom.

Authorities banned the fight during parts of the 1950s, but local support kept it alive; a mock tomato funeral became one expression of that resistance. The celebration eventually gained acceptance and international fame. Its present ticketing, controlled entry and battle rules reflect that growth: a short, intense event still rooted in Buñol’s summer festivities, now attracting visitors from far beyond the town.