CULTURES & FESTIVALS
Festa Major de Grācia
Districts in Barcelona have a tradition to
put up their main festival in spring or summer, and the festival in
the district of Grācia has been renowned citywide for its exuberance
and joviality that lure people from all over Barcelona to come join
in the demonstration of cultural activities, live music, dances and
impressive fireworks.
Festa Patronal de la
Verge de Montserrat
The Catalán from
all over Catalonia make a pilgrimage to the monastery that houses
the statue of the dark Virgin in the abbey on Montserrat every April
27th. Apart from attending the religious service, visitors can also
view several wonderful paintings both from classical and
contemporary artists which are displayed inside the monastery.
Festival de la
Infāncia i de la Joventut
Held on
Montjuīc Hill , the little
kids are sure to have a blast at the Festival de la Infāncia i de la
Joventut which is exclusively organized for the youth. They can
participate in edutainment games, debates, and many fun competitions
with well-trained staff looking after them while their parents enjoy
the view and dinner on Montjuīc Hill.
Fin de Aņo
New Year
means the time for friends and family to get together. Every
December 31st, the people in and around Barcelona gather at Plaįa
Catalunya and Las Ramblas while trying to eat twelve grapes on each
stroke of the clock which is believed to be the tradition that
brings good luck to those who can finish all the grapes in time.
Noche de Sant Joan
Noche de Sant Joan is a remnant of the pagan tradition where people
celebrate the summer solstice by burning their old furniture and
unwanted items. The festivities include the setting off of some
fireworks and dancing while live bands performing their music till
daybreak in plazas throughout the city.
Festival of Saint
Sebastian
The Festival of Saint Sebastian is a weeklong celebration and is
also a major event in Barcelona. The streets are colored by vibrant
and jovial processions as well as singing and dancing. There are
also plenty of food and craft stalls where visitors can sample and
purchase different memorabilias for this inspirational event.
Festival of the Three
Kings
The story about the
Three Kings who make a journey to Bethlehem on the night of Epiphany
is the cornerstone of this festival. The festivities include
processions filled with decorative floats, with lots of candy thrown
to the children who gather along the procession route and then end
with spectacular fireworks which is indispensable in Spanish
fiestas.
La
Mercč
One of Barcelona's most popular street parties, La Mercč is
celebrated in honor of the Virgin of Mercy every September 24th.
The Barri Gōtic (Gothic Quarter)
becomes one big party zone for an entire week. You'll see and hear
all sorts of cultural events ranging from musical concerts and art
exhibitions to traditional shows like the dance of the gigants
(huge carnival figures), sardanas (Catalonia's national
dance), castellers (human pyramids) and, of course, the
correfoc (when demons in costume run through the streets setting
off fireworks).
Sant Roc
Plaįa Nova is the place that the celebration of Sant Roc's
Day takes place every August 16th. Aside from the religious
implication, the festival also denotes a political undertone as Sant
Roc was the patron saint of some historical guilds of Barcelona.
Plaįa Nova is lavishly decorated with flags of the different guilds
of Barcelona and images of their representatives.
The usual happenings take place: dancing
with gegants (huge carnival figures), games for children, and
the dancing of the Sardana, Europe's most complicated national
dance.
Verge del Carme
As fishery is one of the main industries in Barcelona, the patron
saint of seamen and fishermen are honored every July 15th and there
is a procession along the port of Barcelona. Boats adorned with
flowers and coloured pennants embark from the wharf of la
Barceloneta and make a tour of the port. It's also part of the
tradition to sing habaneras, songs composed by Cataláns
living in the Americas back in the "good old days" of the Spanish
empire.
Majorcan Festival
This popular annual festival is Grācia's
celebration for the animals. The community gathers to dance and
play musical instruments and enjoy the holiday with delicious local
food such as sobresada, a flat pastry filled with seasoned meat.
Visitors will also enjoy the "dancing devils" or correfoc who
form the highlight of the festivities.
Recommended Accommodations in Barcelona:
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Hesperia Carlit - The Hotel Hesperia Carlit Is A
Renovated 19th Century Residential Building. It Is
Located Three Blocks From Avenida Diagonal In The
Eixample, 500 Meters From Gaud?'s La Sagrada Familia,
And One Kilometer From Park De La Ciutadella And
Passeig De Gr?cia. This Hotel Has 38 Guestrooms, All
Newly Decorated And Fitted With Modern Facilities
When The Building Was Renovated In 2002. They All
Include Internet Connection, Television, Minibars,
Air Conditioning And Safes. |
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Hesperia Del Port - The Hesperia Del Port Is
A Modern Seven-storey Hotel In Central
Barcelona, At The Foot Of Montjuic And Within
500 Metres Of Las Ramblas, The Port And The
Gothic Quarter. Air-conditioned Guestrooms
Feature Warm Earth Tones And Dark Wood
Furniture. All 89 Rooms Have Free Wireless
Internet Access, Bathrooms With Hairdryer, Cable
Television, Direct-dial Phones And Minibars.
Hotel Address : Avenida Paralelo 40, Barcelona,
8001 Spain |
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Hesperia Metropol - The Hesperia Metropol Is
A Modern Property Set In The Centre Of
Barcelona, Within 400 Meters From The Popular
Main Thoroughfare Las Ramblas. The 71 Guestrooms
Are Decorated In White And Terracotta, With
Patterned Fabrics And Wood Furnishings; All Open
Out Onto Balconies. Amenities Include Air
Conditioning, Television With Satellite
Channels, Telephones And Bathrobes.
Hotel Address : Ample 31, Barcelona, 8002 Spain |
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Hotel Granvia - Located On Tree-lined Gran
V?a, This Ornate Former 19th Century Palace Is
Steps From Passeig De Gr?cia, Four Blocks From
Las Ramblas, And Six Blocks From The Gothic
Quarter. The 54 Individually Styled Guestrooms
Have Alcoved Stucco Walls And Combine Period
Antiques And Rose-marble Vanities With Modern
Amenities Like Satellite Tv And Internet Access.
All Have Bathrooms With Handheld Showers And
Hair Dryers. |
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