Sant Jordi

Sant Jordi celebration in Sitges is a red-letter day on the calendar, both for culture enthusiasts and lovers in general, as it is also a very romantic day in Catalonia.

Sant Jordi's day is the great literature festival in Sitges. Remember that, by coincidence of the calendar, UNESCO declared April 23, St. George's Day, as International Book Day. The reason: it is the date of the deaths of Cervantes and Shakespeare in 1616.

According to tradition, April 23 was also the day of the death of the knight George, a Cappadocian soldier sanctified for his defense of Christianity in Roman times. Legend has it that he killed a dragon threatening a local princess, and that from the monster's blood a rosebush bloomed, with George taking one of its flowers to give to the girl. This is the origin of the tradition among couples in love to exchange a book and a rose on this significant date.

But beyond the coincidence of Sant Jordi with the literary milestone and the legendary medieval story, this date is full of symbolism for being also the day of the patron saint of Catalonia, established in the 15th century due to the great devotion he aroused at that time.

Plenty of reasons to celebrate Sant Jordi Day in style in Sitges. The epicenter of everything is the Passeig de la Ribera, in front of the Hotel Calipolis. Here, the book fair is set up, with about thirty stands of all sizes. From small stalls for writers and small publishers to a large tent from the City Council, where various activities take place.

In addition, the city's main cultural institutions join the celebration with their own proposals: guided tours, talks, or exhibitions that seek the more literary side of their collections. This is the case with the Museums of Sitges.

As you will see upon your arrival, Sant Jordi Day in Sitges in 2020 will also be a day to enjoy Catalan culture. Balconies, facades, and many other elements are adorned with flags and other displays of pride by the people of Sitges and many visitors to the fair.

And since the cornerstone of Catalan culture is precisely its language, you can fully enjoy its beauty on this day, as a good part of the recitals and books presented are in Catalan. Therefore, an unbeatable opportunity to immerse yourself in its literature and get to know first-hand great authors of different genres in this language.

If you want to experience Sant Jordi Day in Sitges up close, we recommend booking your room at the Hotel Calipolis as soon as possible. Our privileged location will allow you to attend the fair in a few steps and continue your stroll along the promenade, which extends at the foot of our facilities. You can consider the trip as a romantic getaway, something that many couples already do, as the day has all the ingredients for it: flowers and poetry, in an incomparable setting, such as the Mediterranean coast. If you want more information about our romantic package, do not hesitate to contact us.