Demons, fireworks and human towers in Barcelona

 

Spain is awash with fiestas every time I visit to look for new holiday courses I always seem to hit town in the middle of a celebration. One of the biggest celebrations in Barcelona is the Mercè – meaning the patron saint of the city.

The main event takes place on the 24th September although the preceding 3 days are packed with pageants, concerts and some strange activities that only the Spanish can get away with including:

– ‘Els Castellets’ – which is essentially building human towers, in fact the tower is only deemed to be complete when the very smallest person is at the top

– ‘El Correfoc’, ‘diablos y demonios’ – this is the dark side where devils and demons armed with an array of fireworks float through the streets

– ‘The finale – Fireworks and Music on the 24th September’ – starting around 10pm this is a firework and music spectacular that you are unlikely to forget in a hurry as this 3 day event comes to an end and the city returns to normal – until the next fiesta of course.

Go beyond the tourist trail and join in with the next Mercè festival this September.