Sant Jordi is a Catalan festival that celebrates love and literature on April 23. It is based on a legend and a tradition that go back centuries.

The Legend of Sant Jordi

According to the legend, a dragon terrorized the town of Montblanc and demanded a human sacrifice every day. One day, the king’s daughter was chosen, but a knight named Jordi saved her by slaying the dragon. From its blood, a rose bush sprouted.

The Tradition of Sant Jordi

Sant Jordi is the patron saint of lovers in Catalonia. On his feast day, couples exchange gifts: a rose for women and a book for men. This custom combines an old rose fair with a modern book fair that started in the 1920s. Sant Jordi is also a day to celebrate Catalan culture and identity. People fill the streets with stalls, flags, and activities related to books and roses. It is a unique and festive occasion that you should not miss if you visit Catalonia.

What to Do in Barcelona for Sant Jordi

If you are in Barcelona for Sant Jordi, here are some suggestions to make the most of this special day:

• Visit the literary ‘superilla’, a pedestrian area where you can find hundreds of book stalls and meet your favorite authors.
• Enjoy free entry to some of the most emblematic Catalan monuments, such as the Palau de la Generalitat, the Casa Batllo, or the Sagrada Familia.
• Explore the city’s cultural scene with concerts, exhibitions, workshops, and performances related to books and roses.
• Join the crowds at Placa Catalunya, Placa Sant Jaume, or La Rambla, where you can buy roses of all colors and shapes, and admire the floral decorations.
• Discover the hidden gems of Barcelona’s literary heritage with guided tours, walks, or scavenger hunts that will take you to places inspired by or related to famous books or writers.