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The "Festes de la Mercè", or La Mercè Festival, is an annual celebration that takes place in Barcelona to honour its patron saint, the Virgin of La Mercè, with an array of events and activities throughout the city.
This festival, which is celebrated every September, is one of the most awaited by the locals as it brings together a number of emblematic traditions. From Fisa Rentals apartments in Barcelona, we explain the programme so that you can enjoy the Fiestas de La Mercè in Barcelona like a local.
The Fiestas de La Mercè take place around 24 September, which is the feast day of the Virgin of La Mercè. Although the main celebration is on the 24th, the festivities usually extend over several days with an extensive programme of events and activities day and night.
La Mercè, in Spanish Our Lady of Mercy or Our Lady of Mercy, has been linked to the history of Barcelona since 24 September 1218, when she appeared simultaneously to King James I, Saint Pere Nolasc and Saint Ramon de Penyafort, asking them to establish a religious order to rescue the Christians held captive in Saracen lands.
With this miracle in mind, centuries later, in 1678, the Consell de Cent of Barcelona undertook to name the Mare de Déu de la Mercè patron saint of the city if she would rid them of a terrible plague of locusts.
So it was, and the people of Barcelona also played their part, albeit much later, in 1868, when they finally proclaimed La Mercè co-patron saint of the city. A title that, until then, had been held alone by Saint Eulàlia, the girl who lost her life for the Christian faith in Roman times, miraculously resisting several martyrdoms.
The Mercè festival programme always includes some very special activities. These are the following:
One of the great attractions of La Mercè is its wide range of free concerts. These concerts take place in different squares and parks around the city, with venues such as the Parc del Fòrum, Avinguda de Maria Cristina and Bogatell Beach standing out.
The musical genres are diverse, ranging from classical music to pop, rock, jazz and electronic music, and Catalan and Spanish artists usually take part.
Concerts are undoubtedly the highlight of the Mercè festival. So much so that there are two extensive, completely free parallel programmes: the BAM Festival and Mercè Música.
- BAM Festival. This is the acronym for Barcelona Acció Musical, a festival with more than 25 years of history and the aim of discovering emerging talents in dance, electronic, rock and pop music from Catalonia and around the world. In each edition, around 40 concerts are programmed simultaneously on various stages: Parc del Fòrum, Antiga Fàbrica Damm, Plaça Reial, Plaça de Catalunya, Plaça dels Àngels...
- Mercè Música. This is where all the concerts that are not part of the BAM are grouped together and are literally spread all over the city. It is worth noting that, of the more than 130 performances programmed, there are quite a few daytime ones, especially designed for family audiences.
The Festa de la Mercè is also known for its rich programme of cultural activities, including:
- The Proclamation. Speech inaugurating the Festivities of La Mercè in Barcelona. - Fireworks and Giants and Big-heads. Festive parades for all audiences. - Castells or human towers with a long tradition in Catalonia. - Videomaping on the façade of Barcelona City Hall in Plaça de Sant Jaume. - Activities in Parc de la Ciudatella for children and adults with music, games, performances...
- Guest city. Every year Barcelona invites a city from around the world to take part in the Mercè festivities, highlighting its culture: artists, musicians, traditions... .... This year 2024 it is Casablanca, the largest city in Morocco. - Cursa de la Mercè. It is usually held just after the festivities so that traffic can be cut off without interfering with other activities. It is a very popular race in the city with a 10-kilometre route that can be done either running or walking, so in addition to athletes, groups of families and friends take part in a much more playful spirit.
Another essential part of the Mercè Festival is the fireworks display at the Magic Fountain of Montjuic, located in Plaça d'Espanya. A spectacular choreography of music, water and fireworks that heralds the end of the festivities every year.
In the days leading up to the festival, other fireworks displays are also scheduled to take place between the beaches of San Miquel and Somorrostro in Barcelona.
As it is held during the last weeks of September, it usually rains during La Mercè, although this fact has a much more mystical explanation. The city's co-patron saint, Santa Eulalia, weeps because the citizens of Barcelona have forgotten her.
The Santa Eulalia festivities take place in mid-February, but with much less hype.
The events of La Mercè are spread all over the city, that's why, from the Fisa Rentals apartments in the city centre you will be perfectly communicated, being able to comfortably walk to most of the programmed activities.
Remember that cancellation is free of charge up to 24 hours before the day of arrival as long as you book through our official website and with the exception of some special events such as MWC or Christmas Eve
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