The most beautiful festival in Barcelona: Sant Jordi

Every April 23, Barcelona dresses in colors and is filled with the aroma of roses and books. It is Sant Jordi Day, one of the most beautiful and romantic celebrations in the city of Barcelona, thus celebrating Book Day and Valentine’s Day. With a beautiful history, Sant Jordi has become tradition and symbolism for Catalonia, this festival is a tribute to Saint George, culture, love and literature. If you want to see Barcelona at its most romantic and united, you should definitely come visit the city during these traditional celebration dates.

The origin of Sant Jordi

The legend of Sant Jordi is an exciting story that has been passed down from generation to generation in Catalonia. It is said that, in the 13th century, in a Catalan town, there was a brave knight called Sant Jordi. One day, a terrible dragon appeared in the city, the people, terrified and tired of the dragon’s actions, reached a desperate agreement, they wanted to feed the dragon one person each day, selected by lottery. After several days, misfortune befell the town’s princess, selected as the next victim. The knight Sant Jordi, tired of this pact, bravely faced the dragon to save the princess and the people.

After a fierce battle, Sant Jordi managed to defeat the dragon and free the princess. From the dragon’s blood emerged a rose bush, whose roses were the reddest and most beautiful ever seen. Sant Jordi, as a sign of his love and gratitude, plucked a rose and gave it to the princess, thus falling deeply in love with her.

Since then, every year in Catalonia, Sant Jordi’s Day is celebrated remembering this heroic act. Catalans exchange roses and books as a symbol of love and culture.

Barcelona is filled with color

On Sant Jordi’s Day, Barcelona transforms into a sea of roses and books. The streets are filled with rose stalls, turning Barcelona into a huge open-air bookstore and florist, where you can find a wide variety of roses, from the most classic red ones to the most exotic and colorful ones.

Giving a book also has a place in the celebration, with numerous sales booths distributed throughout the city. From literary classics to the latest novelties, there are options for all tastes and ages. A festive and family atmosphere is created throughout the region, Sant Jordi is a beautiful tradition that unites people and celebrates values ​​such as courage, love and generosity.

The exchange of roses and books is the most popular tradition of Sant Jordi. Giving a rose is a sign of love and affection, while giving a book symbolizes the exchange of knowledge and the promotion of culture. Therefore, Sant Jordi is the perfect time to surprise your loved ones with a special and unique detail. Whether it’s a red rose for your partner or a book by their favorite author for a friend, each gift carries a message of love and appreciation.

The Walk along the Ramblas and Paseo de Gràcia

One of the most emblematic places to experience the celebration of Sant Jordi in Barcelona is to walk along Las Ramblas and Passeig de Gràcia. Here, you will find an authentic rose and book fair, where you can enjoy the bustle of the crowd, the intoxicating aroma of flowers and the opportunity to discover new readings. Furthermore, during this day, many buildings and monuments in the city are decorated with flags and decorations in honor of Sant Jordi, creating a unique cozy atmosphere.

Sant Jordi is much more than a simple book and roses fair; It is also an opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of cultural and literary activities.

Throughout the day, book presentations, author signings, public readings and shows are organized in different parts of the city. In addition, many bookstores and libraries offer special discounts and activities for children, turning Sant Jordi into an inclusive celebration for the whole family.

This wonderful day you could visit places such as the town hall, the Palau Güell, the Sant Pau modernist complex, the Ateneo and the Palau de la Generalitat open their doors to offer special activities or free visits.

One of the most notable experiences is the visit to Casa Batlló, an architectural masterpiece by Antoni Gaudí. Here, Gaudí incorporated elements of the legend of Sant Jordi and the dragon into his design, making the visit even more special during this holiday.

Immersing yourself in the fascinating architecture of Casa Batlló while evoking the history of Sant Jordi is a truly unique and memorable experience that you cannot miss during your visit to Barcelona on this special day.

So now you know, April 23 is a special day in Barcelona that deserves to be experienced. Immerse yourself in the contagious energy of this unique festival, where the streets are full of life and culture is breathed on every corner.

Let the charm of Sant Jordi envelop you as you explore this cosmopolitan and vibrant city.

Come and discover why Barcelona on April 23 is an experience that will leave you amazed!

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us.