24/04/2026
Sv. Juraj u Kataloniji ❤️
Today was Sant Jordi, and Barcelona is covered in red roses.
Every year on April 23, the streets fill with flower stalls and book stands. Couples, friends, families — everyone gives and receives. Traditionally, men gave a rose to the woman they loved, and women gave a book in return. Today both go both ways.
The rose tradition traces back to the legend of Sant Jordi — Saint George — the patron saint of Catalonia. According to the legend, when he slew the dragon, a rose bush grew from the spot where the dragon's blood fell. He gave the first rose to the princess he had just saved.
The book tradition came later. April 23 also marks the date Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare both died, in 1616. A bookseller started pairing the two together, and it stuck. In 1995, UNESCO made April 23 World Book Day — partly because of what Catalonia was already doing here.
One number that tells you everything: an estimated 40% of all the roses sold in Barcelona in an entire year are sold on this single day.
It's one of the best days of the year to be in this city.
