Festa major de la Marina

Activity dates

Dates de celebració

Second fortnight in June, in Sants-Montjuïc's La Marina neighbourhood

Feast Day: Sant Joan, 24 June

Sants - Montjuïc

La Marina del Port is a neighbourhood organised round the what is now Passeig de la Zona Franca, next to the Port of Barcelona. In the past it was farming land but in the second half of the 19th century the first industries moved in. It grew gradually in the 20th century but unequally, in markedly different hubs: the Port, Can Clos, El Polvorí, Sant Cristòfol, Plus Ultra, etc.

The festa major, which locals call "the Bacanals", is held round Sant Joan and lasts three or four days. Most of the activities take place round Plaça de la Marina, one of the central points of the neighbourhood. The Diables del Port ensure popular culture has a presence by organising lots of events and bringing along La Marina's giants.

Did you know...

Sabies que...

Magí and Quimeta, La Marina's gegants, are a very unusual couple because they have a comic appearance. This made them very innovative figures when the were made and they are still the only ones like that.

About festivities

Highlights

Correfoc. The festival kicks off with a correfoc round the neighbourhood streets. It is organised by the Diables del Port, who are always joined by another colla.

Cercavila gegantera. The focus of the festival morning is the cercavila gegantera, led by Magí and Quimeta, La Marina's two gegants. First the giants and other festival figures are brought out into Plaça de la Marina. Then, around mid-morning, the cercavila sets off round the streets before ending up in the square again for the dances of honour by the two hosts.

Flama del Canigó. On Sant Joan night the Diables del Port bring the flame from the Canigou mountain to the neighbourhood. With that the traditional foguera, or bonfire, is lit in Plaça de la Marina, and the revetlla celebrations start with dancing, coca and cava for everyone.

Havaneres i correfoc infantil. The festival usually ends on Sant Joan Day evening with a havanera concert in Plaça de la Marina. A little later the correfoc infantil, organised by the Diables del Port, kicks off.