| Barcelona September 13, 2006 | | | | balloons, kit displays and other aerial exhibitions |
| 24th of September marks the start of a week's | | | | that take place throughout the festival on the |
| celebration in honor of the Patron Saint of | | | | city's beaches. |
| Barcelona, the Mare de Deu de la Merce. Every | | | | A big music celebrity is usually brought for the |
| year the festival puts together groups of | | | | festival's grad finale. For 2005 the spot light went |
| musicians from all over the world which perform | | | | to a local singer and composer Pep Sala, who had |
| live in various locations of the city, Plaza del | | | | the chance to honorably close out La Merce. |
| Forum, Avenida de la Catedral, Rambla del Rayal, | | | | And for visitors not to miss a thing, during the |
| el Moll de la Fusta, Plaza Catalunya, amongst other | | | | weekend of the 24th, transports are out and |
| areas, transforming the streets into the largest | | | | about 24/7. It is actually the best bet as the |
| party area of the region. | | | | streets will be filled with events, parades, fire runs |
| The Festival officially took place for the first time | | | | and many people. |
| in 1902, and since then, at the end of September | | | | It is the perfect opportunity for tourists to feel |
| the town bids summer goodbye with a bang and | | | | the true spirit of Barcelona at its best and most |
| welcomes the cooler months of autumn, through | | | | colorful dress. The vibrant festival filled with unique |
| a fantastic blend of tradition, innovation and | | | | spectacles, brig entertainment and something new |
| entertainment. It has become the greatest event | | | | to all ages, along with the chance to discover a |
| on Barcelona's festival calendar in a true | | | | wonderful city. |
| Mediterranean fashion. | | | | About Barcelona |
| As the climate allows celebrations to take place | | | | Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain, not |
| outdoors, there are a number of different | | | | only in size but also in population. It is the capital |
| activities that satisfy all tastes spread in different | | | | of Catalonia, one of the seventeen Autonomous |
| locations. Although most of the events, about 500 | | | | Communities that make up country that lies along |
| around the city, are carefully wrapped until the | | | | a privileged position of the Mediterranean, on the |
| last moment, be certain that you'll be doing | | | | northern coast of Iberia. |
| something that involves music, fun, colors, games | | | | To begin, however, you'll want to take in the |
| and constant smile on your face. | | | | artistic and intellectual aura of this unique seafaring |
| Nevertheless, as tradition is one of the key | | | | city. Residents take justifiable pride in their Catalan |
| words, a game held every year will remain for | | | | heritage, and are eager to share it. Many of these |
| 2006, Castells, the human tower. It is one of the | | | | sights can be covered on foot, and this section |
| highlights, as it is an admirable demonstration of | | | | includes a walking tour of the Old Town. |
| agility, balance and teamwork. | | | | Besides its geographical location, the cultural, |
| In line with Barcelona's cultural development you'll | | | | historical and traditional influences make Barcelona |
| come across figures such as the Gegantes and | | | | unequivocally Mediterranean and multi-faceted. Not |
| the Capgrossos that stroll about, representing the | | | | only is it rich in history, it has transformed itself |
| Catalan city halls. To accompany them, in the fun | | | | into one of the most dynamic and stylish cities in |
| parade, are street artists that provoke laughter | | | | the world. |
| and surprise through their theatrical and traveling | | | | Filled with landmark buildings and world-class |
| music acts in a colorful pyrotechnic display. | | | | museums, you'll find fascinating; Antoni Gaudi's |
| This part of the event has been known to | | | | famed Sagrada Familia, the Museu Picasso, the |
| captivate the children the most as they love | | | | Gothic cathedral, and Les Ramblas, the tree-lined |
| dynamic displays that play with their imagination, | | | | promenade cutting through the heart of the old |
| specially the dragons and giants. The audience also | | | | quarter. |
| participates and interacts with the funny figures, | | | | Summer is synonym to serious partying and for |
| mainly the devils that chase those "foolish" enough | | | | the rest of the year, visitors will be blown away |
| to get in their way. | | | | as Barcelona is on the biting edge of architecture, |
| If you are in to good food and fine wine, this | | | | food, fashion, style and music. |
| event is also for you. Food and wine shows run | | | | To complete the festive experience and extend |
| throughout the festival showcasing local products. | | | | Barcelona's sensations, choose between some of |
| Allowing you to taste and buy the best Catalonia | | | | the best Luxury Boutique Design Hotels of the |
| has to offer. | | | | region for an accommodation that is guaranteed |
| Indispensable to these celebrations are the devilish | | | | to prolong the emotions. |
| colorful spit fire figures, the Correfocs that | | | | Claris - Touch treasures of the past, in an |
| precede the most expected spectacle of the | | | | environment of contemporary luxury. |
| Merce Festival, the Piromusical show. The sky is | | | | Neri H&R - Experience Sensuality and awaken all |
| filled with lights and colors thrown together with | | | | your senses. |
| quality music that create an amazing audio-visual | | | | Granados 83 - Maximum elegance in a minimalist |
| experience. Also animating the skies, you'll tire | | | | atmosphere. |
| your neck catching a glimpse of static hot air | | | | |