Festes de la Mercè Celebration in Barcelona

Festes de la Mercè Celebration in Barcelona
Reviewed by Teresita Blanco
Date: September 24, 2015

This day Honors the Lady of Mercy. It takes place in Barcelona, Spain. There are also 500 other events taking place at the same time. During the festival, there are performers making a giant human tower. There are also people breathing fire and giant parades with fireworks.

The people there dance with drums and flutes. There is also plenty of food and dancing.  The festival is quite old since The Lady of Mercy is the patron of the city. According to legend, the Virgin appeared to the king James I of Aragon in September, 24 1218. She also showed herself to Saint Peter Nolasco and Saint Raymond of Penyafort.




She ordered the trio to save the monks who had been captured by the Saracens. She also protected Barcelona from the plague. The stories about her go on and on. To honor her, Barcelona has this celebration in this date. Pope Pius IX officially declared this Virgin the patron of the city in 1902.

That same year the mayor organized the festivities into a major celebration. Today, the celebration offers a wide array of events honoring the Mediterranean culture. Aside from the Virgin, the centerpieces of all the celebration are the fireworks.