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Barcelona is famend for its gorgeous structure, vibrant tradition, and scrumptious meals. However past the world-class sights, there’s a quirky facet of Catalonia that vacationers typically overlook.
From outrageous festivals to weird customs, Catalonia has an array of traditions that may make you scratch your head and snigger in equal measure. Whether or not wandering the winding streets of the Gothic Quarter or exploring the sun-drenched beaches of the Costa Brava, right here’s a enjoyable have a look at a few of the craziest Catalan traditions you gained’t discover in a typical vacationer information.
Right here’s an summary:
The Human Towers: Castells
One of the vital 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—typically 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 immediately, it’s a extremely aggressive occasion, typically 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 gained’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
In relation to bizarre traditions, nothing beats Caga Tió, the Catalan Christmas custom that includes a log with a painted face, legs, and a crimson hat. However wait—it will get weirder. On Christmas Eve, youngsters “feed” the log each day with sweets and treats, whereas overlaying 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 may increasingly 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 seem to be one thing out of a youngsters’s fairy story, it’s a practice taken very critically by native households.
Associated learn: Celebrating Christmas in Barcelona Like a Local
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 (constituted of tomatoes, nuts, and garlic).
Consuming calçots is just not a dainty affair. You gained’t discover anybody politely nibbling these onions with a fork and knife. As an alternative, Catalans peel them with their palms, then devour them by the bunch, typically 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 palms soiled and sharing time with family and friends.
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The Sardana: The Catalan Circle Dance
If you end up in Catalonia throughout the summer season months, particularly within the city squares of Barcelona or Girona, you’ll possible witness the Sardana—a conventional Catalan circle dance. The dancers, typically in massive teams, kind a circle and maintain palms, transferring in time to the music, which is offered by a small orchestra known as a “cobla.”
The Sardana has deep roots in Catalonia and symbolizes unity and regional satisfaction. 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 “hearth 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 means of the streets, brandishing firecrackers and sparklers. The purpose? To create an nearly apocalyptic scene of chaos and hearth, 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 fireplace and lightweight. The flames, sparks, and occasional explosions are definitely thrilling—but it surely’s all in good enjoyable, and locals take nice satisfaction of their capacity 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 an enormous avenue occasion in Barcelona, in addition to fireworks, bonfires, and loads of cava (Catalan glowing wine). This evening marks the arrival of the summer season solstice, and it’s a time to let free and benefit from the longest evening of the yr.
Folks head to the seashores with family and friends to leap over bonfires, set off fireworks, and benefit from the heat of summer season. 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 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 season 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!
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