On June 14, Barcelona experienced a historic day celebrating two extraordinary milestones: the completion of the Tower of Jesus at the Sagrada Família and the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death. To mark the occasion, the city hosted a large popular culture parade that brought together local organizations, giant figure groups and citizens in a festive route through some of the most emblematic spaces of Gaudí’s legacy.
Casa Batlló had the honor of actively participating in this celebration, organized jointly with the Sagrada Família, La Pedrera – Casa Milà and the Passeig de Gràcia Association, reaffirming our commitment to preserving and promoting Gaudí’s legacy and the cultural traditions that form part of Barcelona’s identity.
The beginning of a historic day
The parade began at 10:00 a.m. in front of Casa Batlló, where a musical performance on the façade and institutional speeches welcomed participants and visitors. From this iconic starting point, Passeig de Gràcia was filled with color, music and tradition thanks to the participation of the Giants of Gràcia, the Giants of Vilassar de Mar, the giant figure Crespinella and the Gaudí big-head figure.
The presence of these popular cultural icons in front of Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece transformed Passeig de Gràcia into a unique stage where architectural heritage and popular culture came together to pay tribute to the universal architect.
A journey through Gaudí’s legacy
The procession then continued to La Pedrera – Casa Milà, where additional festive figures joined the celebration, including the Gaudí Giant from Riudoms, the dwarf figures Trenca and Dis, and Forjat, one of La Pedrera’s warrior giants, unveiled for the occasion with a renewed appearance.
The parade then advanced toward the Sagrada Família, incorporating more groups and representatives of Barcelona’s festive heritage before reaching the Nativity Façade of the basilica, where the final dances and speeches took place.
Celebrating the heritage that unites us
This grand parade was much more than a celebration. It was an opportunity to highlight our shared roots, the richness of Catalan popular culture and the living legacy of Antoni Gaudí, whose work continues to inspire generations around the world.
At Casa Batlló, we would like to thank all the organizing institutions, participating groups and the thousands of people who joined this historic journey. Being part of this initiative allows us to continue bringing Gaudí’s legacy closer to the public and contributing to the preservation of the traditions that enrich our cultural heritage.