Sant Jordi is coming! On April 23rd, Sant Jordi’s Day is celebrated in Catalonia, coinciding with Book Day. All the streets are filled with roses and books to celebrate love and culture.
The day of the book and the rose in Barcelona is one of the most awaited festivities by locals and tourists alike. If you are thinking about how to enjoy this celebration, from Derby Hotels Collection, we suggest 4 activities you can’t miss. Will you join us?
1. Browse the book and rose stalls
After last year’s success, Barcelona will once again set up a literary superblock, which will be the heart of the celebration. This year, a section of Carrer Gran de Gràcia and the upper part of the Ramblas will be added to this pedestrian zone.
Book lovers will be able to stroll around the more than 300 stalls of book professionals and bookshops. At many of these booths, you’ll see writers signing their works. And, alongside the books, you’ll find hundreds of rose stalls, where the tradition is to give a red rose to your partner or friends.
2. Take a look at the façade of Casa Batlló
Casa Batlló is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an icon of Barcelona. On Saint George’s Day, its balconies are decorated with red roses to celebrate this special day, creating a unique visual spectacle. What’s more, if you approach the pavement, you’ll have exclusive access to an audio explanation of the façade and the legend of Sant Jordi. This is an essential stop to get to know Gaudí’s work and Modernism at its best.
3. Attend the open-door days
On Saint George’s Day, some of Barcelona’s best-known buildings and museums open their doors for free visits. Discover the nooks and crannies of the Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site (tickets must be booked in advance), the Mies van der Rohe Foundation, the Palau Güell and the Palau de la Generalitat. There will also be open days at places usually closed to the public or with reduced access, such as the Ateneu Barcelonés.
4. Enjoy a gastronomic Sant Jordi’s day
On 22, 23 and 24 April, the Claris Hotel & Spa pays tribute to Sant Jordi’s Day with a special menu, a signature sandwich and a cocktail at La Terraza del Claris.
Both at lunch and dinner, you can enjoy a gastronomic journey in which proposals such as the Delta oyster in red shrimp suquet, anchovies from L’Escala, or beef tenderloin from Girona; and for dessert, a sweet rose of Sant Jordi.
This year, La Terraza del Claris also offers an alternative for the more casual diners, a signature sandwich for €12 that includes a beer or a glass of cava. The combination of Duroc pork belly, Tou dels Til-lers cheese, pickled smoked calçot, and sweet romesco sauce will delight all your senses.
And if you prefer to be surprised with an original signature cocktail, La Terraza del Claris has created Sang de Drac (Dragon’s Blood), a cocktail inspired by the legend of Sant Jordi that combines crème de cassis, red fruits and rosé cava, perfect for the more adventurous.
Sant Jordi is a unique festival that celebrates culture, literature and art in all its forms. So now you know, if you’re in Barcelona on this day, you can’t miss these activities: Happy Sant Jordi’s Day!
