18°C (64°F)La Merce 2012 accommodation in Barcelona
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La Merce 2012 From 21/09/2012 To 24/09/2012 Venue: Barcelona La Merce is a week-long celebration honouring the patron Saint of Barcelona, Our Lady of Mercy. It opens in an extravagant fashion with giants, dragons and capgrosses, in Plaça Sant Jaume in the old town, followed by over 600 traditional Catalan events including sardanes and correfocs. Other events include huge fireworks displays, an air show, free concerts and an assortment of activities for children. Because La Merce has grown to be incredibly popular in recent years, many events are now staged on Montjuïc at the castle to reduce pressure on the centre, though at least 100,000 people are expected to descend on the Barri Gòtic to view the final parade. La Mercè has been celebrated and an official holiday in Barcelona since 1871 when the ajuntament (city council) first organized a series of special activities in honour of the Catholic feast day of Our Lady of Mercy, La Mare de Déu de la Mercè in Catalan. Note that although the actual feast day is officially September 24, the festivities begin a few days beforehand. |
