Lonely Planet Kids - City Trails - Barcelona (Lonely Planet Kids)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Commissioned and project managed by Dynamo Limited.
Barcelona consultant: Esme Fox
Author: Moira Butterfield
Editor: Dynamo Limited
Design: Dynamo Limited
Illustration: Louise Gardner/Dynamo Limited
Publishing Director: Piers Pickard
Commissioning Editors: Jen Feroze, Catharine Robertson
eBook Production: Craig Kilburn

Published in October 2018 by Lonely Planet Global Ltd

CRN: 554153
eISBN: 978 1 78868 207 7

www.lonelyplanetkids.com
Lonely Planet 2018

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Legends from
long ago

Barcelona was first settled over 2,000 years ago, so its no wonder
there are so many legends around town. Take the time trail to find
some spots associated with tales from long ago.

START

CARRER GRAN DE GRCIA

SWEET STORY

CARRER GRAN DE GRCIA

In 1828, Josep Vidal i Grans, a baker,
fell ill in a district of Barcelona called
Grcia. He vowed that if he got better,
he would make an annual trip to
the St. Medir Hermitage. When he
recovered, he set off, and on his
return he threw broad beans to
everyone in the street. Why? Because
they figure in the legend of St. Medir.
Over time, the bakers pilgrimage has
turned into a big springtime street
parade called the Festival of St. Medir,
and instead of broad beans, sweets
are thrown to everyone on the parade
route. There are so many sweets, its
called pluja de caramels candy rain!

Casa de les Punxes

THE DRAGON DESTROYER

Casa de les Punxes

This medieval-looking building gets its name, which means
the House of Spikes, from its pointed rooftop. It was designed
over a hundred years ago to look like the kind of castle where
a knightly hero such as Sant Jordi (Saint George) would live.
Inside, there is an exhibition on Barcelonas favourite Saint,
said to have been a brave knight who saved a princess by
killing a dragon with his holy sword.

RED ROSES GREW WHERE
THE DRAGONS BLOOD WAS
SPILT, AND GEORGE GAVE ONE
TO THE PRINCESS. THATS WHY
ON SAINT JORDI DAY (23 APRIL)
BARCELONAS ROMANTIC MEN GIVE
RED ROSES TO THEIR SWEETHEARTS.

THE TREE CHUCKER

Plaa del Pi

This city square takes its name from the pine tree that
grows there. Legend has it that a giant once came to the city
gates, using an uprooted pine tree as a staff to help him walk.
The gatekeepers thought he was going to chop up the tree and
sell the wood, so they demanded that he pay a tax. The angry
giant lost his temper and threw the tree over the city walls.
It landed in the square and began to grow.

Plaa del Pi

KING AND QUEEN
OF GIANTS

All OVER BARCELONA

Gegants (giants) play a part in most Barcelona festivals,
parading through town and dancing for the crowds. They
represent characters from the Bible, history and legend.
The city has its own official gegants , King Jaume (James)
and his wife, Violant, who always take part in the big
La Merc Festival in September (see page 28). In the
1200s, King Jaume I saved Barcelona from French
forces and earned his status as a hero of the city.
The gegant king and queen live in Barcelonaa
City Hall when they are not parading.

ALL OVER BARCELONA