Santa Eulàlia: she was here first!
This is a city with two different Patron Saints: one is La Mercè, in September, and the other one, less known, is Santa Eulàlia, in February. Read on to learn a little about the celebration of Santa Eulàlia in Barcelona.
Poor little rich girl
Who is Santa Eulàlia in Barcelona, you might wonder? The story of Santa Eulàlia begins in the Roman city, then called Barcino, at the beginning of the 4th century.
A 13-year-old rich and educated Christian girl, Eulàlia –well-spoken in Latin- finds her way to the Roman governor and manages to tell him off about the shameful way he treats those with whom she shares her religion. Little did she know her punishment would definitely not be to take her mobile away but to suffer through 13 (one per each year of her life) different sorts of very gruesome tortures and end up on a cross, by what we know now as the Boqueria Market.
Eulàlia’s courage legend would only grow during the following centuries, granting her the honour of becoming Barcelona’s first Patron Saint.
Live like a local in Barcelona
A 13-year-old rich and educated Christian girl, Eulàlia –well-spoken in Latin- finds her way to the Roman governor and manages to tell him off about the shameful way he treats those with whom she shares her religion. Little did she know her punishment would definitely not be to take her mobile away but to suffer through 13 (one per each year of her life) different sorts of very gruesome tortures and end up on a cross, by what we know now as the Boqueria Market.
Eulàlia’s courage legend would only grow during the following centuries, granting her the honour of becoming Barcelona’s first Patron Saint.
All about… Mercè
Eulàlia, Lali, Laia, is one of the most popular names for girls in Barcelona, which proves the saint was well-loved by its people. For many, many years, the Santa Eulàlia festivities included a dedicated mass in the cathedral, parades, correfocs and sardanas. And then came La Mercè. In 1786 there was a locust plague, and the city council asked another saint, the Mare de Deu de la Mercè, to help save the city.
At this point, we need to acknowledge Mercè was already a pro: apparently, in 1218, when she was still alive, she had liberated Catalunya from a similar plague, so no wonder the men in charge decided to ask an expert. From that moment on, Laia and Mercè became co-patron saints of Barcelona. Better safe than sorry.
The thing is: every year, during the La Mercè festivities in September, it rains, and some say it’s Laia, crying over the fact Barcelona sort-of-abandoned her… Super spooky.
At this point, we need to acknowledge Mercè was already a pro: apparently, in 1218, when she was still alive, she had liberated Catalunya from a similar plague, so no wonder the men in charge decided to ask an expert. From that moment on, Laia and Mercè became co-patron saints of Barcelona. Better safe than sorry.
The thing is: every year, during the La Mercè festivities in September, it rains, and some say it’s Laia, crying over the fact Barcelona sort-of-abandoned her… Super spooky.
Festes de Santa Eulàlia 2023
The Santa Eulàlia Festivities happen in February and are the perfect excuse to have a little bit of fun on the streets, even in the cold. This year, from the 10th to the 12th, the city's biggest winter festival focuses on popular culture and activities for families, open to the general public and free. A concert by the carillon of the Generalitat, a traditional Ball de l'Àliga in front of Santa Maria del Mar, the parade of the gegantona (a giant puppet), and the fireworks to close the festivities are just some of the many things you can see and do on those two days. Remember that most city museums allow free entrance during Santa Eulàlia, so you can also brush up on your culture on the cheap.
Check out the complete programme at the Ajuntament de Barcelona site and enjoy the wintertime in the city thanks to Santa Eulàlia!
Find your home in Barcelona
Check out the complete programme at the Ajuntament de Barcelona site and enjoy the wintertime in the city thanks to Santa Eulàlia!
This is a city with two different Patron Saints: one is La Mercè, in September, and the other one, less known, is Santa Eulàlia, in February. Read on to learn a little about the celebration of Santa Eulàlia in Barcelona.
Poor little rich girl
Who is Santa Eulàlia in Barcelona, you might wonder? The story of Santa Eulàlia begins in the Roman city, then called Barcino, at the beginning of the 4th century.
A 13-year-old rich and educated Christian girl, Eulàlia –well-spoken in Latin- finds her way to the Roman governor and manages to tell him off about the shameful way he treats those with whom she shares her religion. Little did she know her punishment would definitely not be to take her mobile away but to suffer through 13 (one per each year of her life) different sorts of very gruesome tortures and end up on a cross, by what we know now as the Boqueria Market.
Eulàlia’s courage legend would only grow during the following centuries, granting her the honour of becoming Barcelona’s first Patron Saint.
Live like a local in Barcelona
A 13-year-old rich and educated Christian girl, Eulàlia –well-spoken in Latin- finds her way to the Roman governor and manages to tell him off about the shameful way he treats those with whom she shares her religion. Little did she know her punishment would definitely not be to take her mobile away but to suffer through 13 (one per each year of her life) different sorts of very gruesome tortures and end up on a cross, by what we know now as the Boqueria Market.
Eulàlia’s courage legend would only grow during the following centuries, granting her the honour of becoming Barcelona’s first Patron Saint.
All about… Mercè
Eulàlia, Lali, Laia, is one of the most popular names for girls in Barcelona, which proves the saint was well-loved by its people. For many, many years, the Santa Eulàlia festivities included a dedicated mass in the cathedral, parades, correfocs and sardanas. And then came La Mercè. In 1786 there was a locust plague, and the city council asked another saint, the Mare de Deu de la Mercè, to help save the city.
At this point, we need to acknowledge Mercè was already a pro: apparently, in 1218, when she was still alive, she had liberated Catalunya from a similar plague, so no wonder the men in charge decided to ask an expert. From that moment on, Laia and Mercè became co-patron saints of Barcelona. Better safe than sorry.
The thing is: every year, during the La Mercè festivities in September, it rains, and some say it’s Laia, crying over the fact Barcelona sort-of-abandoned her… Super spooky.
At this point, we need to acknowledge Mercè was already a pro: apparently, in 1218, when she was still alive, she had liberated Catalunya from a similar plague, so no wonder the men in charge decided to ask an expert. From that moment on, Laia and Mercè became co-patron saints of Barcelona. Better safe than sorry.
The thing is: every year, during the La Mercè festivities in September, it rains, and some say it’s Laia, crying over the fact Barcelona sort-of-abandoned her… Super spooky.
Festes de Santa Eulàlia 2023
The Santa Eulàlia Festivities happen in February and are the perfect excuse to have a little bit of fun on the streets, even in the cold. This year, from the 10th to the 12th, the city's biggest winter festival focuses on popular culture and activities for families, open to the general public and free. A concert by the carillon of the Generalitat, a traditional Ball de l'Àliga in front of Santa Maria del Mar, the parade of the gegantona (a giant puppet), and the fireworks to close the festivities are just some of the many things you can see and do on those two days. Remember that most city museums allow free entrance during Santa Eulàlia, so you can also brush up on your culture on the cheap.
Check out the complete programme at the Ajuntament de Barcelona site and enjoy the wintertime in the city thanks to Santa Eulàlia!
Find your home in Barcelona
Check out the complete programme at the Ajuntament de Barcelona site and enjoy the wintertime in the city thanks to Santa Eulàlia!
