Barcelona is famend for its beautiful structure, vibrant tradition, and scrumptious meals. However past the world-class sights, there’s a quirky aspect of Catalonia that vacationers usually overlook.
From outrageous festivals to weird customs, Catalonia has an array of traditions that can make you scratch your head and snicker 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 summary:
The Human Towers: Castells
Some of the 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 right now, 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 group.
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The Caga Tió: The Pooping Christmas Log
With regards to 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, youngsters “feed” the log day by 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 appear to be one thing out of a youngsters’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 (made out of tomatoes, nuts, and garlic).
Consuming calçots isn’t a dainty affair. You received’t discover anybody politely nibbling these onions with a fork and knife. As a substitute, 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 an excellent time with family and friends.
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The Sardana: The Catalan Circle Dance
If you end up in Catalonia through the summer time months, particularly within the city squares of Barcelona or Girona, you’ll possible 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 offered by a small orchestra referred to as a “cobla.”
The Sardana has deep roots in Catalonia and symbolizes unity and regional pleasure. Whereas it could look easy, the dance includes advanced 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 approach.
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Correfoc: The Hearth Run
Correfoc isn’t for the faint of coronary heart. This thrilling occasion, actually which means “fireplace run,” takes place throughout a lot of Barcelona’s main festivals, resembling La Mercè or Sant Joan. In Correfoc, folks gown as devils and run via the streets, brandishing firecrackers and sparklers. The purpose? To create an virtually apocalyptic scene of chaos and fireplace, 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 pleasure 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 night time 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 get together 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 one of the vital thrilling nights of the yr in Catalonia, and it’s as a lot about celebrating the altering seasons as it’s about having an excellent 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 aspect of Catalonia!
