Animals of Barcelona in History
Animals form part of many cultures and pagan rituals involve many animals both fictional and non-fictional. Although Spain is a Catholic country, Barcelona in particular is not a particularly religious Christian community, and has a proud heritage. Many of the city’s festivals and traditional processions involve animals – or rather models of giant animals, such as dragons, Eagles, horses, and unrecognisable beasts, too.
Of course, perhaps the most famous beast in Catalonia’s history is the dragon. Saint George is the Patron saint of Catalonia, and is paid homage in many different ways throughout the city – not least the UNESCO world Heritage site of Antonin Gaudi’s Casa Battlò, in downtown Passeig de Gracia Street. This building has a curved tiled back, representing the scales of the dragon’s back. This image is repeated in Gaudi’s Park Güell, with the ornate entrance to the park housing a magnificent dragon fountain which is reproduced all over the city on postcards, shop fronts, and even bakers’ windows.
Another medieval animal to figure predominantly in processions and Barcelona folklore is the bat. Yes, the nocturnal winged creatures have a long history in Barcelona traditions as a sign of strength. This can be seen in a few select areas – for example the magnificent Palau Güell in Barcelona’s old town (also another UNESCO World Heritage Site, designed by Gaudi), the rooftop has a collection of chimneys which usually grab the most attention, but the weather vane atop the building is that of a bat. And of course one of the most famous bats is that of the Rum Bacardi – whose founders were born in nearby Sitges, and moved to Cuba in the 1830s.
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