The Santa Eulàlia Festival of Barcelona 2012
The Santa Eulàlia Festival of Barcelona, also known as La Laia, taking place February 10th, 11th, and 12th, 2012, is one of the most important and widely celebrated yearly festivals in Barcelona. A city-wide celebration, La Fiesta de Santa Eulàlia encompasses two full days and takes place at various venues throughout the city. With more than 100 events scheduled throughout the weekend, there will be plenty to see and do. Les Festes de Santa Eulàlia is oriented primarily toward the enjoyment of children; but, with a wide array of fascinating cultural activities, there is plenty to keep a curious traveler who is not familiar with Barcelonese and Catalan traditions entertained. Music is the most important theme of the festival and the streets and plazas of Barcelona will be alive with the sound of music. View a detailed list of La Laia 2012 scheduled events
What to Expect During La Fiesta de Santa Eulàlia
Expect Barcelona to be teeming with interesting traditional Catalan cultural activities. The 2012 Santa Eulàlia festival, La Laia, features over one hundred events, mostly for children, at various venues throughout Barcelona. Many of the streets, plazas, and museums of Barcelona will be hosting special events; including, Catalan traditions like parades with the traditional Gegants (giants) and the Correfoc, a night-time parade featuring costumed devils and fire-runs. The festivities will also include Castellers, a tradition of building towers out of people as well as traditional Catalan folk dancing called the Sardanes and various other interesting cultural curiosities. View Sant Jordi Hostels’ pick of events not to miss – just scroll down
Why Santa Eulàlia?
Santa Eulàlia is a co-patron saint of Barcelona. In the year 303 the then 13 year old virgin was tortured and killed by the Romans for refusing to renounce her beliefs in the Christian faith. After suffering 13 tortures, including crucifixion on an X shaped cross and being rolled down a hill in a barrel filled with glass and stuck through with knives, she was decapitated. The legend of Santa Eulàlia goes on to explain that just after her decapitation a dove flew out of her severed neck.
The remains of Santa Eulàlia were kept in a Barcelona church until the Moorish Invasion of Spain in 713 when they were hidden for safe keeping. In the year 878, after Spain was liberated from the Moors, Santa Eulàlia’s remains were returned to their proper resting place where they were kept until 1393. In 1393 the remains were moved to an alabaster sarcophagus in a special crypt and today reside in the Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia, also known as the Barcelona cathedral.
Sant Jordi Hostels’ Pick of Events for La Laia 2012
Remember, this is not some crazy party event like a lot of other Barcelona festivals. La Fiesta de Sant Eulàlia is more of a family event and is designed primarily for the enjoyment of children. That being said, there is still a lot to see and do during La Laia. My first recommendation would be to go down to the Gothic quarter of Barcelona and just cruise around checking out the small streets and plazas and seeing what you find. My best experiences in Barcelona have come as total surprises while finding my way from one place to another, half lost in the mid-evil maze of streets of the Gothic quarter. During La Laia you never know what curiosity you might stumble upon. Besides exploring and getting lost in the Gothic quarter there are a couple of events that should not be missed. Most of the best events of the Festival will be held Sunday April 12th.
What: The Parade of the Tales of La Laia – Cercavila de contes de la Laia
When: Sunday 12, February 2012 at 11:30
Where: Starts at Baixada de Sta Eulàlia
Route: Bda Sta Eulàlia, Banys Nous, Ave Maria, pl St Josep Oriol, placeta del Pi, Cecs de la Boqueria, Arc de Sta Eulàlia, Boqueria, Avinyó, bda. de St Miquel, pl St Miquel, Templers, Ataülf, Comtessa de Sobradiel & ends at pl Regomir.
What: Giants Ball and the “Day of Human Tower Building” – Ball de la Gegantona Laia & “Diada Castellera.”
When: Sunday, 12 February 2012 from 12:30
Where: Plaça de Sant Jaume
What: The Parade of the Festival Beasts – Cercavila de la XV Mostra del Bestiari Festiu de Catalunya ‘Animals de granja’
When: Sunday, 12 February at 17:00
Where: Starts and finish at La Rambla, 99 at Palau de la Virreina.
Route: Palau de la Virreina, Ferran, Plaza St Jaume, Ferran finish back at Palau de la Virreina.
What: Fire-dance of Santa Eulalia – Correfoc de Santa Eulalia
When: Sunday, 12 February at 20.30
Where: Plaça Nova at Avinguda de la Catedral in front of Barcelona Cathedral
Route: Plaza Nova, Bisbe, Montjuïc del Bisbe, Plaza St Felip Neri, St Felip Neri, St Sever, Bisbe, Pietat, Comtes de Barcelona, Pla de la Seu i av Catedral.
Where to Stay During La Laia, 2012
Stay with Sant Jordi Hostels at one of our hostels in Barcelona during La Laia. One of the top rated hostel chains in the world, with 6 locations in Barcelona, Sant Jordi Hostles Barcelona is a perfect choice.
