Enjoy in April the Barcelona’s Valentine’s Day!
La Diada de St Jordi – Catalunya’s Valentines Day celebrated on 23rd April, is Barcelona’s equivalent of Valentine’s Day. The day commemorates his death and the legend is that Saint George saved a princess from being eaten by a dragon. A rose bush grew where the dragon’s blood had dropped, and Saint George gave roses to the princess.
The festival’s traditions include roses, romance and books. Traditionally the men will give their lovers red roses which is a symbol of the blood of the dragon and a new tradition has been established where the women give the men a book.
The day also shares the anniversary of the deaths of literary legends Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare. More recently, women receive books as well as roses. On average, 4 million rose and half a million books are sold in Catalonia in the buildup to the day.
During the time of year, La Rambla is brimming with bookstalls and many writers stand next to the stalls ready to sign their books. La Diada de Sant Jordi is also the only day when the city’s main government building, Palau de la Generalitat is open to the public and there is a vast display of roses in remembrance of Saint George. Couples of all ages sit on benches outside cafés reading poetry to each other and book shops invite people in for free poetry and book readings.
Date: 23rd of April 2017
Time: All day
Location: La Rambla, and Palau de la Generalitat, Plaça de Sant Jaume, 4, 08002 Barcelona, open to the public just for that day.
Price: Free
How to get there:
Metro: L3 Liceu, L4 Jaume I
If you want to stay in Barcelona for the event, book one of our apartments in The Gothic Quarter.
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