Vendors selling books and roses fill the streets and squares of Barcelona on Sant Jordi's day. Photo by Antonio Lajusticia Bueno courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
There are so many ways to celebrate Sant Jordi in Barcelona. Of course, you can’t miss a stroll among the rows and rows of book sellers and rose vendors that fill the streets of the literary superblock which stretches from Avinguda Diagonal to Gran Via and Balmes to Pau Claris as well as along La Rambla and Gran de Gràcia. There you can meet a number of Catalan and Spanish authors and even get your books signed.
When you’ve had your fill of books and roses you can catch a film at the BCN Film Fest, check out the Sant Jordi Musica at Antiga Fàbrica Damm, see the traditional sardana dance at Plaça Sant Jaume or enjoy free entry to a number of museums as well as historical buildings that are normally closed to the public. Here’s a list of the participating institutions this year.
Map of Open Doors for Sant Jordi
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Barcelona City Hall, photo courtesy of the Ajuntament de Barcelona.
Ajuntament de Barcelona
Plaça de Sant Jaume 1, 08002 BarcelonaBarcelona’s City Hall celebrates Sant Jordi with an open house from 10:00 to 20:00. Visit the Escala Negra, the Capella del Bon Consell, the Saló de Cròniques, the Saló del Bon Govern, the Sala del Treball, the mayor’s offices, the Saló de Carles Pi i Sunyer, the Saló de Cent, the Saló del Consolat de Mar, the Sala Tàpies, the Saló de Carles III, the Saló de la Ciutat, the Galeria Gòtica and the Escala d’Honor as well as the the Mirador Maria Aurèlia Capmany, the ninth-floor vantage point in the Novíssim Building (entry via Plaça de Sant Miquel). The tour of the building begins at the door on Carrer de la Ciutat (Gothic façade) and, to liven things up, several historical characters will be greeting visitors in the City Hall's noble chambers. The City Council is also hosting a rose-selling initiative with all of the proceeds going to non-profit organizations.
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Ateneu Barcelonès, photo by Pepe Navarro courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Ateneu Barcelonès
Visit Palau Savassona, home of the Barcelona University: the Library, the Pompeu Fabra room, the Oriol Bohigas function room and the conversation rooms. Free entry from 11:00 to 20:00.
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Entrance to the Biblioteca de Catalunya, photo by Antonio Lajusticia Bueno courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Biblioteca de Catalunya
The national library opens its doors to everyone between 10:00 and 14:30 on Sant Jordi’s Day to showcase some of the rich and valuable collections it guards. You can visit the library on a self-guided tour or join a group with a guide who explains the history, functions, collections and services. Guided tours leave every 10 minutes, between 10:00 and 13:30. No reservation is necessary.
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Photo courtesy of Fundació Photographic Social Vision.
Fundació Photographic Social Vision
Via Augusta 175, 08021 BarcelonaFundació Photographic Social Vision opens its doors in its new headquarters in Villa Alegre on Sant Jordi’s Day. The patio will be host its first edition of the photobook fair, with exhibitions and presentations of works by renowned artists and to top it off there will be a vermouth at noon. Open 11:00-14:00 and 17:00-20:00.
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The Institut d’Estudis Catalans is located in the Casa de Convalescència. Photo by Vicente Zambrano González courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Institut d’Estudis Catalans
Carrer del Carme 47, 08001 BarcelonaHoused in the Casa Convalescència, a beautiful 17th-century building that was used by patients from the neighboring Hospital de la Santa Creu, the Institut d'Estudis Catalans (IEC) is a private cultural institution dedicated to research into different components of Catalan culture. Open 11:00-20:00, there will be a book stall in the courtyard and and you can tour the most prominent corners of the Convalescent Home, such as the Prat de la Riba room, the Puig i Cadafalch room, the chapel and the Mercè Rodoreda garden.
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Photo by Vicente Zambrano González courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Museu d'Història de Catalunya
Free entry to the museum's permanent and temporary exhibits from 10:00 to 14:30. mhcat.cat
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Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya
Located in Montjuïc Park the museum contains a whole series of archaeological objects and documents ranging from prehistory to the middle ages. Free access to the museum and the exhibits from 10:00 to 14:30 with an event for kids at 10:30 and with a special exhibition of Greco-Roman mythology.
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Palau Güell. Photo by Tara Shain.
Palau Güell
Palau Güell was the first important commission that Antoni Gaudí had, and he began it in 1886 for the textile businessman Eusebi Güell. It is one of the most emblematic buildings of Barcelona and you can take advantage of the open day from 10:00 to 17:30 to discover this work belonging to the architect's orientalist stage. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance via the Palau’s website.
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The figure of Sant Jordi sits atop a fountain in the Pati dels Tarongers in the Palau de la Generalitat in Barcleona. Photo courtesy of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Public Domain via Flickr.
Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya
Plaça de Sant Jaume, 08002 BarcelonaFrom 11:00 to 19:00 visit the institutional and monumental spaces of the seat of the Government of the Generalitat of Catalunya for Sant Jordi’s Day. The visit begins on the ground floor of the Palace where you can see the Sala Clavé, the Press Room and the Auditorium. On the noble floor, Sala Tàpies, Sala Torres García, Sala del Govern, Chapel of Sant Jordi, Sacristy and Saló de Sant Jordi as well as the open spaces of the Pati dels Tarongers, Gothic Gallery, Gothic staircase and the Gothic courtyard. The visit begins at the entrance at Carrer de Sant Sever, in addition there will be carillon auditions at noon and 18:00. Reservations can be made online at: presidencia.gencat.cat
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Photo by Vicente Zambrano González courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Pavellons Güell
Avinguda de Pedralbes 7, 08034 BarcelonaFamous for their colorfulness and forms, the Pavellons Güell are full of mythological and aesthetic details that make them one of Barcelona's architectural gems. Antoni Gaudí's first project commissioned by Eusebi Güell marked the start of a lengthy collaboration that resulted in many great works in the city.
As part of the Model Barcelona Architectures Festival, the Pavellons Güell will be open to the public for free during the weekend of Sant Jordi on both Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00. Guided tours in English are offered at 10:00, 11:00 and 15:00 and include the stables, the picador and the garden of the old Finca Güell. No prior registration is necessary.
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Pavelló Mies van der Rohe, photo by Vicente Zambrano González courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Pavelló Mies van der Rohe
From 10:00 to 20:00 you can tour the grounds of the Pavelló Mies van der Rohe and explore the reading pavilion where there will be a book stand and space for reading and a show.
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Image courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona.
Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau
This jewel of modernista architecture is hosting an open house for Sant Jordi’s Day from 10:00 to 17:00. You can explore the grounds and several of the emblematic buildings and participate in activities that highlight the site’s history and the life and work of its architect, Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Capacity is limited so tickets must be reserved in advance on the Sant Pau website.
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