Kids in Barcelona - Family and parents guide to activities, shopping, holiday apartments, events, health, schools and nurseries, babysitting and childcare, and playgroups in Barcelona.

Festes de Santa Eulàlia 2010

Saint Eulàlia is the co-patron saint of Barcelona along with Saint Jordi. Affectionately known by the nickname for Eulàlia, La Laia, she is commemorated with statues and street names throughout Barcelona.  The festival of Santa Eulàlia on the 12th February, is one which is dedicated to the children of the city.  Eulàlia was a child martyr who died in Barcelona at the age of 13. The city remembers her courage and endurance by events that include family shows, parades, museum open days and cultural activities for kids.

Born circa 290, Eulàlia was a thirteen-year-old Roman Christian martyred in Barcelona during the persecution of Christians under the the reign of emperor Diocletian in the 4th Century.  It may well be that she was the same person as Saint Eulalia of Mérida, another child martyr thought to have perished in a similar way.

The young Eulàlia met her fate having refused to denounce Christianity. She was subjected to torture by the Romans, the details of which are quite unsettling.  As well as being rolled down a street in a barrel perforated with knives or glass, (according to tradition the street of Baixada de Santa Eulalia or "Saint Eulalia's descent"), other horrific tortures were inflicted upon her such as the cutting off her breasts and crucifxion on an X-shaped cross.  Her final demise came through execution by beheading and, as the story goes, a dove flew from her neck after the decapitation.  Originally interred in the church now known as Santa Maria del Mar in the Born district, in 1339, Eulàlia's body was moved to a sarcophagus in the crypt of the then newly-built Cathedral of Santa Eulalia.

The festival of Santa Eulalia is held in Barcelona from February 12th - February 15th 2009. It is an event focused on children's and family activities and includes museum open days and free entry to some of the city's attractions. For full details of events during the Festes de Santa Eulàlia see What's on for Kids in Barcelona