Sant Jordi’s Day is a traditional celebration that takes place in Catalonia on the 23rd April every year. This festivity has great cultural and social importance in the region, where culture and love are honoured through the purchase and exchange of books and roses. If you want to see how the Catalan towns of Costa Brava, Costa Dorada and Barcelona are tinged with the red colour of roses and the streets are flooded with book-filled street stops, travel with Shuttle2Sun‘s shared transfer services and private transfer services. We offer low cost and sustainable transfers from Girona airport, Reus airport, Barcelona airport, Barcelona port and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
Perhaps you are wondering why this day is so special and so well known for giving roses and books as gifts between couples, friends and family. If you are curious to discover its origins, legends and customs, stay until the end of the article to find out.
The legend of Sant Jordi
The history of Sant Jordi in Catalonia dates back to the Middle Ages. According to legend, there was a dragon attacking a town in Catalonia and the people were terrified. To keep peace between the people and the dragon, it was agreed to give the dragon one animal a day to eat. After all the animals and food in the town had been used up, to appease the dragon, the inhabitants of the town decided to choose one person at random to sacrifice to the monster.
After several weeks, on one occasion, the person chosen was the king’s daughter. However, when the dragon tried to eat her, a knight called Sant Jordi appeared and fought fiercely against the dragon. The knight managed to slay the monster, saving the princess and the people. It is said that a rose grew from the dragon’s blood, which the victorious knight gave to the princess and they later married.
From then on, Sant Jordi became the patron saint of Catalonia and his feast day is celebrated on 23 April every year.
The celebration
The celebration of Sant Jordi’s Day in Catalonia is one of the most important and popular festivities of the year. During this day, the streets of the catalan cities such as Barcelona, Tarragona, Cambrils, La Pineda, Girona, Reus and many others fill with life and colour, and it is common to see people walking around with roses and books in their hands.
On this occasion, bookshops and florists prepare in advance to offer a wide variety of books and roses for all tastes and budgets. In addition, many of these shops offer discounts and special promotions to encourage the purchase of these products.
Roses and books are the stars of this day, and it is common to see couples, friends and family exchanging them as a token of affection and love. Thus, girls receive a rose, symbolising the same rose that Sant Jordi gave to the princess, and boys receive a book.
Here are some of the places around Costa Dorada, Costa Brava and Barcelona where they live this day in a special way.
Barcelona
The Catalan capital is the epicentre of the Sant Jordi celebrations and thanks to Barcelona airport and the port of Barcelona, you can easily visit it. On this day, the streets of the city are filled with stalls selling books and roses, and various cultural and festive activities are organised. In Barcelona, you can enjoy a lively atmosphere and take part in numerous activities while strolling through the streets of the Gothic Quarter, Las Ramblas, El Born, El Raval and many more. You can also take the opportunity to visit the Biblioteca de Cataluña, the Biblioteca Púbica Arús or the Biblioteca Municipal de la Sagrada Família to discover the unique activities that take place on this special day for literature.
Girona
If your flight lands at Girona airport, you can visit the charming medieval city of Girona just 20 minutes away. Located on Costa Brava, it is known for its picturesque streets and rich history, and during Sant Jordi’s Day, Girona is filled with stalls selling books and roses, as well as numerous cultural activities such as music and dance performances.
Tarragona
The coastal city of Tarragona is famous for its Roman heritage and medieval architecture. During Sant Jordi’s Day, Tarragona is full of stalls selling books and roses, and various cultural activities are organised, such as concerts and dance performances. Visiting this town is very easy thanks to Reus airport, located just 14 minutes from the centre of Tarragona and 10 minutes from Reus, where this day is also very special.
Montblanc
You can’t miss a visit to the town where the legend of Sant Jordi was based, Montblanc. In this town near the Camp de Tarragona AVE train station, the Setmana Medieval (Medieval Week) is held. It takes place on the two weekends around 23 April and has an extensive programme of events such as the re-enactment of the Legend of Sant Jordi, the Medieval Market, the Medieval Night Tournament and the Handing over of the Rose.
Sitges
Sitges is known for its beaches and lively nightlife. During Sant Jordi’s Day, the town is full of stalls selling books and roses, and various cultural and festive activities are organised in the streets and squares of the town centre.
Come and discover how the different towns of Barcelona province, Costa Dorada and Costa Brava experience this special day in Catalonia. Make your transfers from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Girona airport, Reus airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station. We offer comfortable and sustainable private transfer services and shared transfer services.
