La Mercè: Experience Barcelona at its best

Fiesta time in Barcelona

For many, September is a time to say goodbye to summer and head back to school or work. However, people in Barcelona have something spectacular that softens the blow of returning to the daily grind: their biggest celebration of the year. 

During the La Mercè festival, the streets of Barcelona fill with gigantes, concerts, exhibitions, and, of course, traditional human towers called castellers.

Continue reading in English or click here to change to Spanish version and fully immerse yourself in the modernism, international ambiance, and vast cultural agenda Barcelona offers its visitors during this special time.

The origins of the festival

As we explained in our article about the different types of Spanish fiestas, many cities and towns dedicate their biggest yearly celebration to their patron saint. La Mercè, or the Virgin of Mercy, is the patron saint of Barcelona. Do you know how she got that title?

According to legend, around the year 1200, the Virgin appeared to three important people: King James I of Aragon, Saint Peter Nolasco, and Saint Raymond of Panyafort. She asked them to create a new monastic order to face the attacks of the Saracens during wartime.

Centuries later, when Barcelona was suffering a terrible locust infestation, the people asked the Virgin of Mercy for help. When the infestation was eradicated, the city named La Mercè patron saint of Barcelona in thanks for her protection.

La Mercè Program

At La Mercè, the program is so varied that everyone finds their own place. Each year, it is a tradition that a guest city is responsible for organizing some activities in collaboration with the City of Barcelona. The starting signal for the festivities is usually given by a famous person from the Spanish scene: politicians, painters, illustrators, artists, mayors...

Below, you will find some of the most striking proposals that are celebrated during the festivities of La Mercè in Barcelona:

Live music

One of this festival’s strong points is the free outdoor concerts. Parc del Fòrum, Plaza de Cataluña, the area around Montjuïc, and Plaza Real are just a few of the spots you can check out to enjoy Spanish music, or Catalan music, depending on the artist.

As every year, the program varies and different artists perform in the streets of Barcelona. Singers and groups of the Spanish and international music scene come together with their fans to liven up the festivities of La Mercè. In previous years, artists such as Miki Núñez, Carlos Sadness, Carlos Baute or Chloe Philips have filled the stages with music.

You can not miss it! Maybe one of your favorite artists will be in the program.

Street shows

During the day, Ciudadela Park will be filled with street performers specialized in theater, dance, juggling, and other disciplines. Gigantes and cabezudos (impressive costumed figures with enormous papier-mâché heads) will be roaming the city squares, and there will be no lack of typical sardana dancing and the traditional castellers (pictured above).

When the sun goes down, light and fire take over the streets. Correfocs (fire-runs) and ball de diables (devil dances) light up the night with sparks and fireworks. Plaza de Sant Jaume is one of the best places to enjoy these spectacular events. If you’re a fan of photography, don’t miss this opportunity to capture these utterly unique moments.

You can also enjoy a pyromusical show at the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc. If you can’t get enough of the beach even in September, Barceloneta Beach is a good viewing point for fireworks shows all week long.

Exhibitions

The street program of La Mercè goes hand in hand with a cultural agenda of the most careful. So, during these festivities, you can access in its open day to historical buildings and monuments such as the Monastery of Pedralbes, the Picasso Museum or the Palau de la Generalitat. Check the schedule to find out which day is free to enter all these emblematic places of the city.

In addition, we encourage you to visit the Centro Cultural del Born, where you will find the most interesting exhibitions.

So do not hesitate, if you want to discover the city of Barcelona from the inside, we invite you to come during the best week of the year to do so. Take advantage of your stay to take any of our Spanish courses at donQuijote school, learn Spanish in Barcelona and let yourself be surprised by the festivities of La Mercè.