” ‘La Diada de Sant Jordi’ is Saint George’s Day in Barcelona and Catalunya. It is a beautiful day full of romance, roses and books–a Catalan tradition inspired by the legend of St George slaying the dragon, saving the lovely princess and giving her a red rose.

St. George is the patron saint of Catalonia and Saint George’s day is celebrated on 23rd April in Barcelona to commemorate his death on that date in the year 303.

In 1923 the tradition of rose giving was expanded to include the ladies giving the men a book on Sant Jordi’ s day.  April 23 also is the anniversary of both William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes death.

Sant Jordi’ s day is not an official public holiday in Catalunya, but everyone, after work, gets to relax on this spring day…. a tradition on Sant Jordi is to walk down the famous Les Rambles in Gothic quarter, which is completely packed. But  you don’ t need to go to Les Rambles to find roses, there will be flower booths everywhere in Barcelona….”

Or so they say.

And maybe the lights will come on as you stroll together by the fountain … The end of another romantic day of beauty and surprises in Barcelona —