Sardana Dancing with Cobla de Lluïsos de Taradell—La Mercè 2023

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The ballada de sardanes in the Plaça de la Mercè features the oldest cobla ensemble in Catalunya: the Cobla Lluïsos de Taradell which appeared in the form of an orchestra on Christmas Day in 1876, nearly 150 years ago.

Awarded the Cross of Sant Jordi from the Government of Catalunya in 1986—a distinction which recognized the strong ties the group had established with sardana groups through its history—the ensemble has played throughout Catalunya’s central counties including Ripollès, Vallès, Barcelonès, Baix Llobregat, Penedès, Maresme, Garrotxa and others many more. The Cobla de Lluïsos de Taradell is led by the prestigious director and composer Gerard Pastor.

Celebrated September 22-25, 2023, the La Mercè festival program is packed with things to do and see. But if all the festivities of La Mercè get to be a bit too much, why not take a culture break?

Many of the city’s museums observe the holiday with a jornada de portes obertes (open doors). Check out our interactive map with all the locations that are throwing open their doors for free: Map of Barcelona Museums with Free Entry for La Mercè.

For other ideas about how to celebrate La Mercè go to What to Do for La Mercè.