As every year, at the end of September, Barcelona closes the summer season with its big festival: The Festival of La Mercè. During the days it is celebrated, the streets and squares of Barcelona are filled with people who participate in the hundreds of activities planned, which give this festival that cheerful atmosphere, so characteristic, that everyone loves. The celebration commemorates the feast of the Mare de Déu de La Mercè (Virgin of La Mercè), patron saint of the city since 1687 -when Barcelona suffered a plague of locusts that was eradicated after being placed in the hands of the virgin- and not ratified by the Pope until two centuries later, in 1868. This 2024 the feast will be celebrated between September 20 and 24.
History of the festivities of La Mercè
To know the history of this festivity we have to go back several centuries. Specifically to the night of September 24, 1218, when the Virgin of La Mercè appeared simultaneously to King James I, St. Peter Nolasco and St. Raymond of Penyafort to ask them to create an order of monks dedicated to saving imprisoned Christians.
This festivity, which, therefore, has a religious origin, is also full of cultural traditions of a very popular character, it is characterized by leisure in the streets, which are filled with gegants (giants) and big-heads, fire and demons, human towers known as castells and music. The gegants are nothing more than tall figures with papier-mâché heads and hands, with the rest of their bodies covered with clothes. They have a wooden structure inside and a person is put inside them to dance and jump. The cabezudos are large papier-mâché heads worn with a matching costume. And the demons are the name given to the people who do the correfoc (fire-running), typical of Catalonia. Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?
Casablanca, the guest city for La Mercè 2024
As every year, Barcelona invites a city on the occasion of La Mercè Festivities. In 2023, the chosen one was Kyev and this year it is Casablanca, the largest city in Morocco. Having a guest city at La Mercè has become a tradition that seeks to strengthen connections with other capitals and provide Barcelona’s citizens with a unique opportunity to connect with the world.
Activities of La Mercè 2024
Although you can consult the program of this 2024 on the official website of the Barcelona City Council, we briefly summarize some of the activities that are expected this year.
As always, the protagonists will be the outdoor concerts. This year some of the guest artists that have already been confirmed are The Tyets, Lildami, Buhos, Abraham Mateo, Vicco and many more. There will also be multiple exhibitions of all kinds and open days in several museums such as Picasso Museum, MACBA or MNAC. There will be sardanes, correfocs and other typical activities. And of course, the closing of the festival is always given with the pyromusical show that will take place at the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc.
Accommodation for La Mercè 2024
If you are looking for accommodation in Barcelona for La Mercè 2024, in MH Apartments we have different options of tourist apartments in Barcelona. Specifically, 11 holiday apartment buildings in the center of Barcelona (Las Ramblas, Eixample and Sagrada Familia). Do not miss the opportunity to stroll through the streets of Barcelona and enjoy its people and culture, make your reservation!
