Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
6. FESTA DE LA PATUM
The village of Berga (90 km/ 60 miles north of Barcelona) hosts one of Catalonia's
liveliest festivals. The event gets its name from the folks who used to chant
patum
(thesoundofadrum). Streets spilloverwithmerrymakers asfireworks crackle and
dwarfs, devils and dragons dance atop parade floats.
Corpus Christi (May)
7. FESTES DE SANT MEDIR
A10th-centuryhermitageisthefocusofaverypicturesquepilgrimagefeaturingcar-
riagesandcostumedattendantsonhorseback.Sweetsarethrownfromthecarriages,
which is a treat for the kids.
Around 3 Mar
8. CASTELLS
Castells
is one of Catalonia's most spectacular folk traditions. Trained
castellers
stand on each other's shoulders to create a human castle - the highest tower takes
theprize.Thecrowningmomentiswhenachildscalesthehumanmasstomakethe
sign of the cross.
Castells
are often performed in Plaça Sant Jaume.
Jun
9. SARDANES
“The magnificent, moving ring” is how Catalan poet Joan Maragall described the
sardana
, Catalonia's regional dance. Subdued yet intricate, it is performed to the
tunesofthe
cobla
,atraditional brassandwoodwindband.
Sardanes
canbeseenin
Plaça de la Seu and Plaça Sant Jaume year round (for further details see
Cathedral
10. CATALAN CHRISTMAS & CAVALCADA DE REIS
The
Nadal
(Christmas) season begins on 1 December with the arrival of the festive
artisan fairs. On 5 January is the Cavalcada de Reis, the spectacular Three Kings
Parade. In Barcelona, the kings arrive by sea and are welcomed by city officials in
front of transfixed children.
