Urbany Blog

Summer is almost over, but Barcelona still has one big festival to go.
From the 19^th to the 24^th of September takes place the Festes de la Mercè (or simply called La Mercè) to celebrate the Patron Saint of the city.

According to the legend, on the 24^th of September of 1218, during the 5^th Crusade, the Virgin appeared to King Jaume I, St. Pere Nolasc and St. Ramon de Penyafort asking for the creation of a new religious order to protect Christians from the Saracens.
In 1687, the Virgin saved the city from a plague of locusts and the City Council named her as the Patron Saint of Barcelona. The Pope recognised it only two centuries later and immediately the city started celebrating it in September and little by little became a real Festival as it is nowadays.

The main characteristics of La Mercè are the Catalan traditional and popular activities organised during these days. The program includes sardanas (traditional dance), els castells (human towers), els diables (fireworks procession) and most of all les cercaviles (parades), where many street artists work together with popular cultural associations.

Music is also an important part of the celebration. During the festival the BAM takes place, with a very busy program of free concerts all around Barcelona: open air in streets and squares, as well as inside some of the main concerts halls in town.

At the Montjuic Castle there will be a circus festival where you can attend different shows and activities, such as magician’s shows, mime, acrobacies and much more to satisfy children’s appetite as well as adults’.

Barcelona is supporting the Year of Intercultural Dialogue declared by the European Union. Together with many other activities organised all along the year, during La Mercè there is an Asian Festival, with international cinema, a gastronomic corner and games for children all linked to India. Besides Quito will be the guest city of this year celebrations with a full Ecuadorian program. As well, the European Institute of the Mediterranean organises “the Nights of Ramadam”.

On Sunday the 21^st there is one of the most important marathons of Barcelona for the very athletic ones!

There will be an information point in the Tolc Bar, next to the Barcelona Urbany Hostel. Part of the streets Coruña and Meridiana will be closed to traffic and will be dedicated to a Basque Festival with handcraft, food and concerts.

The program has many more activities for every taste and age, you just need to have a look and you will surely find something interesting for you.

La Mercè, the best way to learn about Catalan Culture and their way of partying!

Usefull information:
Dates – 19^th – 24^th September
Bank holiday – 24^th
Transport – The metro will be working 24 hours on the 19^th, 20^th and 23^rd
There will be special buses to the Forum and to Montjuic
Main concerts sites – Plaça Catalunya, Portal de la Pau, Plaça dels Angels, Fabra I Coats, Forum, Sidecar, Sala Apolo.

More information and programme - http://www.bcn.cat/merce/ca/index.shtml