Barcelona - The Feast of Saint Eulália

The feast of Saint Eulália or “Las fiestas de Santa Eulália” is the biggest annual festival for children in Barcelona.The festival is held in the days around February the 12th.On February the 12th it is Santa Eulália's day.Over 100 activities are being organized for children during this festival.Also the programme includes a tradition Catalan parade with giants (“gegants”) and other fantasy figures.

As in many Spanish festivals music is very important.During the festival there are many performances of childrens orchestras and music schools.Also there's an annual photography contest for kids called "Foto Laia".

There is a gruel legend about a child virging saint called Eulália.The legend tells that Eulália was a 13 year old girl who lived in a farmhouse called “un mas”.This farmhouse was located in what is now called the district of Sarria. At that time this farmhouse was located outside of the city of Barcelona in the countryside.During the time of the persecution of Christians by the Romans the girl became a martyr.She refused to recant her faith and therefor she got tortured.The Romans subjected here to thirteen different and gruel tortures.For instance one of the tortures was that she was put in a barrel full of glass and knives. The Romans rolled the barrel down from a sloping street.This street can be visited in the Gothic quarter and is called “Baixada de Santa Eulalia”.

Other tortures Eulália was subjected to was crucifying here on a cross, cutting off her breasts and other cruelties.The last and final torture was decapitation. She died on February the 12th 303.Many streets are named after Eulália and also there are several statues for her.

The body of Eulalia was buried in the Santa Maria de les Arenes church.The church of Santa Maria del Mar replaced this church. You can find this church in the Born area of Barcelona.During the Moorish invasion in 713 her body was kept hidden.In 1339 the remains of her body were relocated to an alabaster sarcophagus in the crypt of the Barcelona church of Santa Eulália.Finally her body was moved to the crypt of the Barcelona Cathedral. She's still in this crypy.

Because geese were grazing on farmhouse where Eulália originally lived you can see thirteen white gees in the cloister of the Cathedral. (one for every year of her live).For everyone who wants to visit Barcelona please have a look at the Web-site of cheap accommodation Barcelona for holiday apartments.