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 take a look at a number 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 youngster—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 as we speak, it’s a extremely aggressive occasion, usually held throughout festivals like La Mercè (Barcelona’s annual metropolis competition) or different regional celebrations. The sight of those precarious human buildings is one you received’t quickly neglect, and it’s an expertise that completely encapsulates Catalonia’s daring spirit and sense of group.
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The Caga Tió: The Pooping Christmas Log
In the case of bizarre traditions, nothing beats Caga Tió, the Catalan Christmas custom that includes a log with a painted face, legs, and a purple hat. However wait—it will get weirder. On Christmas Eve, kids “feed” the log each day with sweets and treats, whereas masking 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 likely appear unusual to outsiders, for Catalan children, 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 could look like one thing out of a kids’s fairy story, it’s a practice taken very significantly by native households.
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The Calçotada: The Onion Feast
In Catalonia, the arrival of calçots—a sort of inexperienced onion—indicators 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 (comprised of tomatoes, nuts, and garlic).
Consuming calçots is just not 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 time with family and friends.
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The Sardana: The Catalan Circle Dance
If you end up in Catalonia in the course of the summer time months, particularly within the city squares of Barcelona or Girona, you’ll doubtless witness the Sardana—a standard Catalan circle dance. The dancers, usually in giant teams, kind a circle and maintain arms, shifting in time to the music, which is offered by a small orchestra referred to as a “cobla.”
The Sardana has deep roots in Catalonia and symbolizes unity and regional delight. Whereas it could look easy, the dance includes complicated steps and complex 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 is just not for the faint of coronary heart. This thrilling occasion, actually that means “fireplace run,” takes place throughout a lot of Barcelona’s main festivals, similar to La Mercè or Sant Joan. In Correfoc, individuals costume as devils and run by way of the streets, brandishing firecrackers and sparklers. The goal? To create an virtually apocalyptic scene of chaos and fireplace, all within the title of celebration.
Crowds collect to cheer on the devilish individuals, who set off fireworks and run between them, making a spectacular show of fireside and lightweight. The flames, sparks, and occasional explosions are definitely thrilling—but it surely’s all in good enjoyable, and locals take nice delight of their capability to navigate the fiery chaos.
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The Fiestas of Sant Joan: A Evening of Hearth, Music, and Insanity
The evening of Sant Joan (June twenty third) is one other Catalan custom that’s equal components enjoyable and wild. It’s celebrated with a large avenue occasion in Barcelona, in addition to fireworks, bonfires, and loads of cava (Catalan glowing wine). This evening marks the arrival of the summer time solstice, and it’s a time to let free and benefit from the longest evening of the 12 months.
Folks 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 12 months in Catalonia, and it’s as a lot about celebrating the altering seasons as it’s about having 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 every 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!
