Barcelona is famend for its beautiful structure, vibrant tradition, and scrumptious meals. However past the world-class sights, there’s a quirky facet of Catalonia that vacationers usually overlook.
From outrageous festivals to weird customs, Catalonia has an array of traditions that may make you scratch your head and snort in equal measure. Whether or not wandering the winding streets of the Gothic Quarter or exploring the sun-drenched seashores of the Costa Brava, right here’s a enjoyable have a look at a few of the craziest Catalan traditions you received’t discover in a typical vacationer information.
Right here’s an outline:
The Human Towers: Castells
One of the crucial iconic and mind-blowing Catalan traditions is the Castell—a human tower that’s as tall as it’s spectacular. Castellers, or the individuals who take part on this custom, work collectively to construct a tower of people, with the bottom composed of burly males and the upper ranges made up of smaller, lighter people. The entire construction teeters because it rises, and when it reaches its highest level, a small baby—usually no older than six or seven—climbs to the highest and raises a hand in victory.
This custom dates again to the 18th century in Catalonia, and in the present day, it’s a extremely aggressive occasion, usually held throughout festivals like La Mercè (Barcelona’s annual metropolis pageant) or different regional celebrations. The sight of those precarious human buildings is one you received’t quickly overlook, and it’s an expertise that completely encapsulates Catalonia’s daring spirit and sense of neighborhood.
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The Caga Tió: The Pooping Christmas Log
Relating to bizarre traditions, nothing beats Caga Tió, the Catalan Christmas custom that entails a log with a painted face, legs, and a crimson hat. However wait—it will get weirder. On Christmas Eve, kids “feed” the log each day with sweets and treats, whereas protecting it with a blanket. Then, on Christmas Day, they collect across the log and hit it with sticks, shouting, “Caga Tió!” (“Poop, log!”) till sweets and small presents mysteriously fall out.
Whereas this will appear unusual to outsiders, for Catalan youngsters, it’s one of many highlights of the vacation season. The Caga Tió provides a component of playful mischief to the Christmas festivities, and although it might seem to be one thing out of a kids’s fairy story, it’s a convention taken very significantly by native households.
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The Calçotada: The Onion Feast
In Catalonia, the arrival of calçots—a kind of inexperienced onion—alerts the beginning of the winter festivities. Yearly, round January to March, locals collect for a “Calçotada,” a barbecue feast the place these onions are grilled to perfection over an open flame, then dipped right into a wealthy romesco sauce (created from tomatoes, nuts, and garlic).
Consuming calçots just isn’t a dainty affair. You received’t discover anybody politely nibbling these onions with a fork and knife. As an alternative, Catalans peel them with their arms, then devour them by the bunch, usually whereas sitting at lengthy tables within the countryside, surrounded by laughter, wine, and camaraderie. It’s not simply concerning the meals, although—the expertise is all about getting your arms soiled and sharing a very good time with family and friends.
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The Sardana: The Catalan Circle Dance
If you end up in Catalonia throughout the summer time months, particularly within the city squares of Barcelona or Girona, you’ll probably witness the Sardana—a standard Catalan circle dance. The dancers, usually in giant teams, kind a circle and maintain arms, transferring in time to the music, which is supplied by a small orchestra known as a “cobla.”
The Sardana has deep roots in Catalonia and symbolizes unity and regional delight. Whereas it might look easy, the dance entails complicated steps and complicated footwork. When carried out with dozens of individuals collaborating, it’s a sight to behold. Whether or not you take part or watch from the sidelines, it’s a good way to attach with the native tradition in a enjoyable, interactive method.
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Correfoc: The Hearth Run
Correfoc just isn’t for the faint of coronary heart. This thrilling occasion, actually which means “hearth run,” takes place throughout lots of Barcelona’s main festivals, akin to La Mercè or Sant Joan. In Correfoc, folks costume as devils and run via the streets, brandishing firecrackers and sparklers. The intention? To create an nearly apocalyptic scene of chaos and hearth, all within the identify of celebration.
Crowds collect to cheer on the devilish contributors, who set off fireworks and run between them, making a spectacular show of fireplace and lightweight. The flames, sparks, and occasional explosions are actually thrilling—however it’s all in good enjoyable, and locals take nice delight of their skill to navigate the fiery chaos.
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The Fiestas of Sant Joan: A Evening of Hearth, Music, and Insanity
The night time of Sant Joan (June twenty third) is one other Catalan custom that’s equal components enjoyable and wild. It’s celebrated with an enormous road social gathering in Barcelona, in addition to fireworks, bonfires, and loads of cava (Catalan glowing wine). This night time marks the arrival of the summer time solstice, and it’s a time to let unfastened and benefit from the longest night time of the yr.
Individuals head to the seashores with family and friends to leap over bonfires, set off fireworks, and benefit from the heat of summer time. It’s probably the most thrilling nights of the yr in Catalonia, and it’s as a lot about celebrating the altering seasons as it’s about having a very good time.
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A Mix of Enjoyable and Catalan Traditions
Catalonia is a land of cultural richness, and its traditions are a mixture of the historic, the quirky, and the downright enjoyable. From human towers to fireworks, weird Christmas customs to wild summer time events, there’s one thing about these Catalan traditions that makes them unforgettable.
Whether or not you’re right here for a day or per week, take time to embrace the native festivals and quirks—they’re an enormous a part of what makes Catalonia such an thrilling and memorable place to go to. So, seize your sticks, put together for some firework-filled enjoyable, and prepare to expertise the loopy facet of Catalonia!
