If there is a not-to-be-missed celebration in BarcelonaIt's the Mercè festivities!
5 days to celebrate Barcelona's patron saint.
The official day is September 24, but these are 5 consecutive days filled with folk dances, citywide activities, human towers, fireworks...
And the list goes on!
Because every year, this party is even more impressive and beautiful!
Called in Catalan visit festa major d'estiu, the whole of Barcelona celebrates the Mare de Déu de la Mercè (Our Lady of Grace).
Here's a short guide so you don't miss a thing!
But who is the Virgen de la Mercè?
The Virgen de la Mercè is venerated by Catholics and is also known as the Virgin Mary. Virgin of Mercy.
The 1er August 1218, the Virgin Mary appeared to three well-known Barcelona citizens of the time, including San Pedro Nolasco the founder of theOrder of Mercè.
What does Barcelona's Mercè mean?
In Catalan, "Thank you "means a service, a helping hand.
In honor of the Mercè: the Basilica of the Gothic Quarter!
In Barcelona's old town, I invite you to visit the Basílica de la Mare de Déu de la Mercè which is a magnificent Baroque church dating from 1765, located in the Gothic Quarter, on the edge of the town. Plaça de la Mercè.
Since when is the Mercè the patron saint of the district?
The year 1687 was marked by a terrible plague of locusts, and the inhabitants prayed to the Virgin Mary for deliverance.
And it worked so well that the town was soon free of it.
The Pope then decided in 1868 that the Virgin would be the patron saint of Barcelona.
And since then, the party has grown to become a truly popular gathering!
La Fête de la Mercè, the biggest street festival of the year!
Commonly known as the summer holidays, the Mercè festivities mark the end of summer and the gradual arrival of autumn. The heat will gradually diminish.
A chance to celebrate one last time!
These are more than 500 activities will be organized all over the city!
And for all audiences: children, adults, lovers of Catalan traditions,...
And they're usually free!
The poster and the pregó de la Mercè
The Mercè line-up is eagerly awaited, because every year it's a Catalan artist who makes it happen.
Antoni Tapiès had this honor, as did photographer Joan Fontcuberta in 2013.
Also, the "pregó", It's the speech that signals the start of the festival, and it's usually a well-known figure from the world of culture who delivers it, before the eyes of thousands of spectators. In 1995, it was Tarik Kupusovic, the mayor of Sarajevo, who launched the festivities.
And later sociologist Fatima Mernissi and writer Carlos Ruiz Zafón.
What Catalan folklore is featured at Mercè?
It's Catalan popular culture that's the great queen of the Mercè festivities.
First of all, I hope you get the chance to see a Correfoc!
It's a pyrotechnic festival where participants, called "Devils" and "Dragons", run around with large flaming sticks. When ignited, the sticks form marvellous lights that escape in thousands of tiny sparks.
It happens in the street and I advise you to protect yourself well so as not to burn your clothes!
Glasses and hoodies are de rigueur!
Folk dances, called Sardanesare visible in the town's squares.
Just like the human towers, called the castellers in Catalan, which tend to take place in the middle of the day!
Participants form towers by building floors with their own bodies. And it's the lightest one, usually a child or a " l'enxaneta "which climbs to the top of the tower.
It's a feat that's interesting to watch, and requires a lot of practice.
Sculptures of giants (kings, queens, noblemen) are also out and about, strolling through the town to the sound of brass bands.
And so many others!
The highlight: fireworks on Montjuic
Don't miss the show that marks the end of the festivities at the magic fountain of Montjuic !
Getting around during the Mercè festivities
I really advise you to use public transport and especially metros with optimized service and 24-hour operation especially for the event.
La Mercè or Sainte Eulalie?
You may hear that Barcelona's patron saint is not the Mercè but Saint Eulalie.
And those who tell you this will not be entirely wrong, because Eulalie is the town's patron saint.
While Mercè is the patron saint of the Barcelona district.
Sainte-Eulalie is celebrated on February 12. ! It's also an important festival in Barcelona!
But the Mercè festivities are clearly more important!
And the rain that sometimes falls during these festive celebrations is sometimes attributed to the tears of Saint Eulalia, momentarily forgotten by the people of Barcelona...
Who was Sainte-Eulalie?
Sainte-Eulalie came from Sarrià, a town on the outskirts of Barcelona. the persecution of Christians under Emperor Diocletian. She was imprisoned and tortured.
What happens on February 12?
The town celebrates Sainte-Eulalie with a series of dances, correfocs, human towers and giant processions.
Where to see Sainte-Eulalie
You can see the Saint in the alleyway La bajada de Santa Eulalia in the old town.
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