FAREWELL TO THE SUMMER AT BARCELONA’S ANNUAL LA MERCE FESTIVAL

Those with property in and around Barcelona got to celebrate the end of summer recently, with the annual La Mercè festival.

The five day event was held last month in honour of the Patron Saint of Barcelona, Mare de Deu de la Mercè, complete with fireworks, a street based fire run, human towers, parades of giants, music and of course, Catalan merriment.
The Correfoc or Fire Run was not for the faint of heart, as sparklers and even hand held bangers were thrown around by the Devils, local groups who come to life at major Barcelona festivals

The Giants Parade was a big hit with children and adults alike, as giant models in the shape of kings, queens and noblemen paraded around the streets near Plaça de Jaume.

The Castellers human towers were also a big focal point of this year’s festival, as adults create towers with their bodies – complete with a child on top – as part of this grand circus-style act.

As well as the traditional La Mercè acts, this year's festival also saw concerts from African band Baobab Orchestra, music from Catalan band Els Catarres and Dr Calypso, a Barcelona-based Reggae band who will be retiring after their 30th anniversary and farewell concert at La Mercè.

The festival has taken place since 1902 and is Barcelona's biggest street festival, and this year’s festival was one of the biggest yet with more than 2 million people descending on the city to join the celebration.

But just because summer is over, does not mean that Barcelona is closed for business. Quite the contrary, as the autumn and winter periods are jam-packed full of cultural concerts like Cruïlla Fest and the Beefeater Film Festival happening over the next two months.

Those with holiday home on the Costa del Maresme or even the Costa Dorada, can continue access Barcelona easily via train or by metro, so visitors can leave the car at home and forget about complicated parking manoeuvres in the beautiful city.

If you are looking for your own home away from home on the Costa Maresme so you can enjoy all that Barcelona has to offer on a more regular basis, take a look at Immovario's wide range of properties here.