Finding yourself in Barcelona to experience Saint George’s Day is an interesting, romantic, and beautiful occurrence.
It is a day when the patron saint of Catalonia is celebrated, and culture floods the streets, being one of the key and central elements of the date.
You will find the Catalan capital squares and avenues filled with books, roses, and people enjoying themselves and the festive ambiance!
In the middle of the spring, if you love traditions, folklore, and literature, you will be delighted with this festivity.
Discover with us all about Saint George’s Day in Barcelona!
What is celebrated in Barcelona on Saint George’s Day?
Barcelona is one of the places where people live on Saint George’s Day intensely.
The origin of this festivity is a mixture of legends, traditions, and events from different centuries that converge together.
The fact is that it is celebrated on April 23 because it was the day when, in the 4th century, an important knight named George died.
People started to venerate him as a martyr.
The date is the same for several countries, one of them being England, where Saint George is as well the patron saint.
If you wander the streets of the Catalan capital, you will see many stalls selling books and roses.
Where does this custom come from?
You can find it in traditions and legends:
- Roses, especially red-colored, are given as a gift because in the 15th century, flowers, and roses market was celebrated to commemorate Saint George.
- Books are also a beautiful gift, and to know the origin of this tradition you need to go back to the 1920s.
The writer Vicent Clavel suggested organizing a party to promote Catalan literature.
On April 23, writers and bookshop owners flooded the streets with all kinds of books.
The Legend of Saint George
On April 23, the World Book Day is also celebrated.
It is an important date because it remembers the death of the authors Shakespeare and Cervantes.
Moreover, the date contains a legend for Catalan people, which is very present in culture.
Long ago, in the city of Montblanc, in Tarragona, a fierce dragon terrorized the inhabitants.
To calm him down, it was decided to feed the creature.
The problem?
The offerings were going to be people, one person a day.
And the day arrived when the princes had to be the dragon’s food.
On her way to meet her fatal fate, the princess witnessed how a dashing knight, mounted on his white horse, confronted the dragon.
The creature perished at the hands of the man, and a rose sprang from its blood, the reddest she had ever seen.
The night, Saint George, gave the flower to the princess, having freed the kingdom.
Experience Saint George’s Day in Barcelona: top three things to do
If you are around the city, you will have a magic Saint George’s Day.
Here is a summary of the three essential things to do on April 23 to enjoy the day to the maximum.
It is a day that you can combine with the best gastronomy in our Tapas Tour.
You can recharge with the best food and continue your day with the proposed activities.
A stroll through Passeig de Gràcia and La Rambla
During Saint George’s Day, the streets of Barcelona turn into a sort of giant florist and bookshop.
Especially, the downtown avenues.
Even though it is not a public holiday, most people go out and enjoy the atmosphere.
To wander through the city’s most iconic places, like Passeig de Gràcia, La Rambla, or Rambla de Catalunya will be delightful.
Not only because you surely will find your next novel, but also because you will enjoy the festive ambience.
It is possible to enjoy as well “sardanas” (a Catalan dance), or see “castells” (human towers).
And if you also want to walk around and explore the city, what better day than 23 April to discover the highlights of Barcelona?
Author’s signatures
In addition to strolling among hundreds of books and roses stalls, you have a pending appointment.
If your favorite writer is in the city, Saint George’s Day is the perfect moment to meet him or her.
For the day, it is usual that authors sign and dedicate their books, meeting their readers.
Is one of the most awaited activities of Saint George’s Day!
So do not doubt about checking the time and place where the author you want to meet will be signing books.
And if you have to queue, you can also enjoy a delicious ice cream to make the wait even sweeter.
Discover the inside of emblematic monuments
Several associations and buildings prepare to receive Saint George’s Day in the best way.
And that means that the entrance to some tourist attractions is free!
For example, it is usual that the Sant Pau modernist complex, the Ateneu Barcelonès, or the Palau Güell open their doors to the public.
Take advantage of it and discover these emblematic monuments!
And don’t forget that you can combine your visit with other gems of the Catalan capital, like the Cathedral.
Moreover, don’t skip one of the most popular sites of Saint George’s Day in the city: the Casa Batlló.
The balconies of this work from Antoni Gaudí will be covered with roses.
Search for elements that refer to the legend, like the skull-shaped balconies or the ceiling representing the dragon scales!
Feel the joy of Saint George’s Day in the city
On Saint George’s Day, you can enjoy an amazing literary route, give roses to your loved ones, and admire the city in its best moments.
It is the lover’s day in a Catalan way!
So, if you are lucky to be in the city on that date, don’t hesitate to go out and soak up the atmosphere.
And, of course, keep discovering Barcelona.
The city doesn’t rest, and you will find beautiful places to visit.
A secret: these places are even more beautiful on April 23. So, enjoy Saint George’s Day in Barcelona!
