When we booked our trip to Barcelona, we had NO idea we were booking over La Merce weekend. So we started reading about it and....wait...there are human towers? Bands all over the city? Art shows? Dance? A DEVIL FIRE parade? Papier-mache giants? There's no question that Barcelona is an incredible city and the highlight of my visit was La Merce. It's traditional culture, crazy parties, parades and music all at once. We watched the entry parade and the giants parade and were just in awe. The castellans were incredible - human towers 7 or 8 high, with little kids scrambling up to the top! The closing fireworks were beautiful & synchronized to music. I mean, tens of thousands of people singing along to "Imagine" is something I won't forget. This isn't a spectacle for the tourists (though there are plenty of us!), it's an expression of local pride and traditional culture. I loved seeing little kids participating in the parades, dressing up and playing in the bands, hopefully carrying the traditions on. My only regret was missing the correfoc run, but that means I have to come back! read more

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Every year, Barcelona holds a week long festival to commemorate their local patron Saint's day. This festival always falls in the week with 24 September. We were fortunate enough to be in Barcelona for most of the festival this year. You'll find: Castellers (human towers) Giant puppety type things Big street food event Light shows Art installations Concerts Gymnast/circus shows Loads of family events It. Was. Awesome! Can't wait for next year! read more

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