Giants besieged Barcelona over the weekend. Devils too. The former paraded their papier maché presence down the city’s streets, while the latter lit fireworks and skipped with dragons. The occasion was La Mercè, the annual celebration of Our Lady of Mercy.
Today’s the last day for the festivities, which included a Catalan Wine Fair, piles of parades, and a 10K race. Much of the weekend has been choreographed to the sounds of cascading water fountains and marvelous music emanating from the base of Montjuïc Mountain.
Perhaps the highlight of the festival is when folks pack the Plaça de Juame with the idea of constructing a human tower. Once built, a child scales the affair. This sort of thing takes practice.
Among festivals and feasts, La Mercè is no newcomer. In one form or another it’s been a Barcelona fixture for centuries, since 1687 when the city suffered (really) a plague of locusts. To banish the buzzing, benighted beasties the faithful prayed to the Virgin Mary, who was subsequently named patroness of the city.
Like a lot of religious festivals this one has morphed into a celebration in its own right. Whatever your inclination of attending, it’s one of Spain’s major attraction.
Somewhat like New Orleans, the city gets crowded this time of year with revelers. It’s not too soon to begin planning for next year’s La Mercè. Hotel rooms tend to book well in advance. As for nonstop air from North America, according to OAG, Delta Air Lines flies from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, American Airlines from its Miami International hub, American from New York Kennedy, United Airlines from Newark Liberty International, Air Canada and Air Transat from Montreal, US Airways from Philadelphia, and Air Canada and Air Transat from Toronto Pearson International.
(Images: xavi talleda, PhotographYeah!, ryan + sarah)
