On April 23, Barcelona celebrates the Sant Jordi´s Day oficially called "La Diada de Sant Jordi", the Catalan version of Saint George. Sant Jordi´s day is Barcelona´s most romantic day of the year, it is the day of roses and books, a local Valentine´s Day. It is also known as Lovers Day and sometimes called "El día de la Rosa," the Rose Day. If you are planning to come to Barcelona, get the most unique experience with BE Apartment in the best luxury apartments in Barcelona and other cities, for your security, pleasure and comfort.
Sant Jordi is the co-patron and the Saint of Catalonia, the legend tells that in the medieval town of Montblanc (in the province of Barcelona) a dragon terrorised people and they gave him all their animals to eat. Then, when there were no more food left they decided to sacrifice to the dragon the Kings´ daughter, and when she was given away to the dragon, a knight appeared, who was the Sant Jordi and killed the dragon to save the princess and then gave a red rose to the princess, which had sprouted on the exact spot, where the dragon´s red blood had spilled. On Sant Jordi´s Day men give women a red rose, and in recent years ladies give men a book. Most Sant Jordi´s Day roses are long stemmed red roses decorated with a sprig of wheat and a little red and yellow "senyera," the symbol of 4 red stripes on a golden background, which is the Catalan flag.
Finding books on Sant Jordi´s day is great fun and you can do that along central streets of Barcelona like La Rambla, Rambla de Catalunya and Passeig de Gracia, where hundreds of book stands present new books, special offers, there are book signings by famous Spanish and Catalan authors. The cake shops make the famous "Pa de Sant Jordi", a special bread made with cured red sausage and yellow cheese, representing the colours of the Catalan flag.
If you go to Plaça de Catalunya on Sant Jordi´s day, you can see a lot of people walking around buying sweets, books, roses and just enjoying the day, as well as famous Spanish and Catalan authors giving interviewes to TV and radio stations or signing copies of their books. Many Barcelona markets, museums and institutions have special Sant Jordi activities for families and visitors including Casa Battló which has a facade decoration with red roses! The cross that spears the scaly roof symbolize the dragon and the bones of the dragon´s victims frame the Casa Battló windows. Sant Jordi Músical 2018 at Antiga Fàbrica d´Estrella Damm (old Damm beer factory venue) hosts a Sant Jordi concert programme with national artists and books and record signings.
In the medieval town of Montblanc near Barcelona, where the legend of Sant Jordi is often situated, exist an annual festival called "Setmana Medieval de la Llegenda de Sant Jordi", which celebrates the legend. Do not miss this opportunity to enjoy Barcelona and get to know the city better with BE Apartment. If you´re visitng the city, take a look at our luxury apartments that we have throughout the city.