According to the legend, the Virgin appeared to the King Jaime I, San Pedro Nolasco and San Ramón de Penyafort during the night of September 24th 1218, asking them to create a monk order to help the Christians surrounded by Sarasins. In 1687, a pandemic occurred in Barcelona: the locust plague. The entire city started to pray the Virgin of the Mercè to save them. When Barcelona ceased to be wasting away through illness, the City Council, in a gesture to thank heavens, named the Virgin of Grace the patron saint of Barcelona. However, the Pope only ratified it in 1868. After he did, the city decided to organize a festival each September to celebrate the Virgin. The first “La Mercè” festival was introduced in 1902.
The theme is different every year and is not revealed until the fiesta begins.
A 4-day festival
- Castells: it is basically a human tower at the top of which a child climbs and stands up. Those impressive human towers stand in front of the City Council, in the Plaça Sant Jaume. A must see!
- Correfocs: people disguised in devil walk in the streets of Barcelona holding fireworks and banger and attended by dragons breathing fire. There are two types of correfocs: one pretty calm for children in the evening and one a little more scary later for adults.
If you want to discover the Catalan culture and its tradition, read on! Let’s see what festival La Mercè is.
We recommend you to dress up with long-sleeved shirts and nonflammable pants. You don’t want the night to turn into a big nightmare, do you?
- Gigants and caps grossos: your little ones will love this parade! Giants with Catalan kings, queens and noble march in the streets of the city for everyone to admire them. Meet them with a percussion group in Plaça de la Mercè, in front of the Barcelona’s Cathedral and in Plaça Sant Jaume. A perfect moment in family!
- Sardana: don’t miss this Catalan traditional dance in which dancers are holding hands in circle accompanied by a special band called “Cobla”.
- Baile de bastones: the “canes dance” is a traditional Catalan dance using one or two sticks struck together.
In addition to these activities, you will be able to enjoy music concerts of the BAM (Barcelona Acció Musical). Bands and groups play all around the city, at every corner, on every places. More than 60 eclectic concerts (from jazz to electronic music) take place to entertain you. For more information about this music festival, visit the dedicated website.
Timetable
La Mercè takes place from September 20th to 24th 2013, from 11am to 4am!
- Gigants and caps grossos: your little ones will love this parade! Giants with Catalan kings, queens and noble march in the streets of the city for everyone to admire them. Meet them with a percussion group in Plaça de la Mercè, in front of the Barcelona’s Cathedral and in Plaça Sant Jaume. A perfect moment in family!
- Sardana: don’t miss this Catalan traditional dance in which dancers are holding hands in circle accompanied by a special band called “Cobla”.
How to get there?
- Plaça Sant Jaume
- Plaça de la Mercè
Bus: 17, 19, 40, 45, 120 to Via Laetana – Plaça de l’Angel
Metro: L4 to Jaume I and walk down on Carrer Jaume I
***Vesping:* **Select the spot in the GPS.
Bus: 120 to Plaça de La Mercè
***Metro:* L3 to Drassanes **Vesping: Select the spot in the GPS. You can also go to Plaça Real, the Parc de la Ciutadella, Arc de Triomf, Graçia… Concerts are all around!
Tips
Decide what you want to see and get there in advance. Places are always crowded!