Human towers and exploding dragons at the Santa Tecla party in Tarragona

Fearsome gargoyles in the St. Tecla parade in September / Wikimedia

30 August 2018, 19:00

Las Fiestas de Santa Tecla

When: 14th – 24th September 2018
Where: Santa Tecla, Spain
Website: tarragonaturisme.cat

During the Santa Tecla celebrations, one of Spain's funniest popular festivals, some of the most typical customs of Catalonia take place. The streets and corners of the city of Tarragona join the party with music, fire and a parade of big-headed giants.

One of the most important events is the Correfoc, a kind of fire demon in charge of concluding the celebration, as well as the incomparable Human Castles that just have to be seen to be believed.

Tarragona, the Roman city with a theme park

Tarragona offers a very important historical legacy, and its long beaches make it one of the main tourist destinations in Catalonia. Visitors take different tours or excursions to visit the Cistercian monastery of Poblet, as well as other archaeological sites of interest.

The historic old town centre of Tarragona is full of charm. Take time to take in the walls that surround the city and the Roman amphitheatre, built very close to the sea, just behind the wall. The Cathedral of Santa María is another of the most emblematic buildings in the city, with its Romanesque cloisters, Gothic crosses and Romanesque façades.

When it comes to tasting good seafood and fresh fish, Tarragona is the place to be, so head towards the town’s fishing district or El Serrallo. If you’re with the kids, they’ll never forgive you if you don’t take them to the famous theme park Port Aventura and enjoy a fun day out with the family.

What’s happening at the Santa Tecla festival 2018?

The Santa Tecla festivities are usually held in mid-September and last for ten days. It is the largest festival in the city and is of National Tourist Interest. The participation from everyone during these ten days is maxed out and the activities they carry out range from gastronomic delights to religious and festive acts.

As we have already mentioned, one of the most authentic and mind-blowing events to take place during the festival are the ‘Castellers’ – human towers of people balancing on top of each other up to ten floors high. Then there is the Cortejo Popular, or the Popular Procession, with dramatic dances, representative figures and traditional music.

One of the first activities carried out in the fiestas in honour of Santa Tecla is the Crida or announcement of the start of the feast. On Saturday, festive groups from different localities in the area perform at the so-called Muestra de Folclore Vivo (Live Folklore Exhibition), while on Sunday, several of the Castellers, the most famous groups in Catalonia, gather together to build their living, human structures.

In the following days, several religious events are held: The Saint's handkerchief, plus Santa Tecla Pequeña, a children's reproduction of the Popular Procession and the Human Castles, as well as the Altarpiece or representation of the life of St. Tecla.

Also forming a part of the parade are various monstrous statues of dragons or bulls with fireworks strapped to them, which are brought out at night to close the festivities. At night, the celebration continues with more musical performances and partying, only ending late at night with the appearance of drummers and pipers.