Pilota valenciana

Pilota Valenciana: our national sport

Discover the essence of the Valencian people through Pilota. Experience the thrill of a sport with over 600 years of history where the hand is the only instrument of the game.

Valencia: the heartbeat of Pilota

Pilota Valenciana is the most authentic sport of our land. With roots documented since the 14th century, its essence lies in striking the ball directly with the hand, without tools, protecting it only with leather strips. Watching a match today is like traveling back in time and immersing oneself in a unique cultural experience where the player and the crowd share the same space.

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El Trinquet de Pelayo: the Cathedral of Pilota

Located in the heart of Valencia, the Trinquet de Pelayo is one of the oldest sporting venues in Europe. Known as "The Cathedral," this space offers a complete experience: from vibrant "pilotaris" matches to spectacular cuisine. Its "almuerzos" (mid-morning snacks) are famous in the city, and its restaurant stands out for the quality of its grilled dishes in a unique historical setting.

Pelayo Gastro Trinquet

Keys to understanding a match

Pilota has its own codes. Learn the essential elements and terms to enjoy the spectacle like a true Valencian from the very first minute.

The Trinquet

It is the enclosed court where Pilota is played. Its rectangular court, with high walls and side galleries (stairs), creates a unique setting of great intensity.

Vaqueta

The star is the "pilota de vaqueta," a handcrafted jewel made of cattle leather, hard and fast, that sets the rhythm and the sound of every match in the trinquet.

Cartas

Para golpearla, los jugadores protegen sus manos con cartas y esparadrapo. Es un ritual meticuloso para convertir la palma de la mano en la mejor raqueta.

The Pilotari

He is the elite athlete who masters both technique and strength. His skill in striking the "vaqueta" with precision turns every match into a spectacle of nobility.

The Escala

Area for an expert audience located on the side stairs inside the court. You are inside the field of play, and the ball can bounce just inches away.

Escala i Corda

It is the premier discipline. It is played over a central net (corda), and the ball can only bounce once. The stairs are key to outmaneuvering the opponent with strategy.

Games

Score is added by jocs, and each one is divided into quinzes (15, 30, and Val). By winning the Val, the team adds a full Joc to their match score.

Valencian Pilota Exhibition

Elite matches at Pelayo

Attending a final at the Trinquet de Pelayo means experiencing the peak intensity of Valencian sport. The atmosphere is unique: spectators sit in the galleries or even inside the court itself, feeling every strike and every "quinze" as if they were part of the match.

Pilota matches

The ritual of the almuerzo and the pilota

Pilota is always linked to the culture of the "esmorzar". The Trinquet de Pelayo features a restaurant where fans gather before or after the match. Sharing a grilled sandwich and a "cremaet" while discussing the professionals' plays is part of the ritual.

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Learn from the masters of the trinquet

Experience a total immersion in the Cathedral of Pilota. Various organizations host workshops at the Trinquet de Pelayo where you will learn how to protect your hands with cards and tape before your first strikes. It is a unique opportunity to understand the technique of Escala i Corda, hear anecdotes from the "pilotaris", and feel the toughness and nobility of this millenary sport from the inside.

Discover the Trinquet