Current location

Festivals and Performances

La Mercè

view
Classification Festivities
Festivals and Performances La Mercè
Festivals and Performances
(local)		 La Mercè
Zone Europe
Theme category
date & Time
Nation Spain
Address Pl Sant Jaume, 1, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Language 스페인어
Period 매년
Website http://merce.bcn.cat/
Year Established 1871
Host 바르셀로나 시
Summary
According to the legend, the Virgin appeared simultaneously to King Jaume I, Saint Pere Nolasc and Saint Ramón de Penyafort on the night of 24 September 1218. She asked all three to create an order of monks dedicated to saving Christians imprisoned by the Saracens.
Centuries later in 1687, Barcelona suffered a plague of locusts, and placed itself in the hands of the Virgin of La Mercè. Once the plague had been overcome, the Council of the City named her patron saint of Barcelona. However, the Pope did not ratify this decision until two centuries later, in 1868.
After Pope Pius IX declared the Virgin of La Mercè the patron saint of the city, Barcelona began to celebrate a festival in the month of September. La Mercè really took off in 1902, when under the impulse of Francesc Cambó, the festival became the model to all other festivals that are being held throughout Catalonia.
With the arrival of democracy, La Mercè became a truly popular celebration; today it is a festival held in a large number of public places with a programme centered on the Mediterranean culture. Every year Barcelona brings together a huge programme of events, including street arts, street processions, concerts, and traditional dances.
Prev Next List

Photos
Videos
Books
Research
Country
ICH
Organizations