Jan Grau is one of the greatest popular and traditional Catalan culture experts. He began his career in the world of “gegants” (big cardboard figures) and “castellers” (human towers) and later became a Cultural Technician of the Generalitat. He is the author of several books and was recently awarded the “Joan Amades” award for his work studying, promoting, and dynamizing Catalan culture. Jan collaborates with various cultural and publishing projects and continues to write. His next book, scheduled to be released this year, will be about dragons, providing an ideal opportunity to discuss this legendary animal.
What is the origin of the legend of Sant Jordi?
Our first documentation is from the 13th century, specifically from the book “La leyenda dorada” (The Golden Legend) by Jaime de la Vorágine. This book is a collection of the lives of saints commissioned by the pope of the time to serve as a guide to the priests and thus unify the stories the church gave. The author needed a suffering, brave and generous saint who exemplified the ideal of a knight. And he chose Sant Jordi.
Why did he choose Sant Jordi?
Sant Jordi became a saint in the 5th century. He didn’t exist, yet a story was invented around him. It tells us that a Roman soldier was tortured for seven years for defying the established power, that he died up to 3 times, and that God resurrected him. Over 800 years, the legend of this saint evolved at a popular level, and the “La leyenda dorada” added two key aspects: that he was a knight and that he killed a dragon. Thus he constructed an ideal tale for the knights of the time.
How and when did the legend take root in Catalonia?
After the publication of “La leyenda dorada” the legend of Sant Jordi began to spread, and in the 15th century, Catalonia adopted him as a saint. Before, the patron saint was Sant Martí. If you think about it, many names of municipalities begin with “Sant Martí”: Sant Martí de Tous, Sant Martí de Centelles, Sant Martí de Torroella, etc. However, with “Sant Jordi,” there is only one: Sant Jordi Desvalls.
How does the legend continue to evolve?
In the 19th century, a movement, the Renaixença, promoted Catalan culture. This movement thought that the best way to educate people who did not know how to read was through legends following the German model of romanticism. For this reason, the legend was recovered, gained momentum, and was incorporated into the plastic arts. To modernism, this legend was perfect.
Why?
Because of the romantic concept behind it, that of a person who fights against a dragon to save a maiden without expecting anything in return. It was very bucolic and had a lot to offer.
Where can we see the legend represented in Barcelona?
There are more than 500 representations of Sant Jordi in the city, including sculptures, paintings, decorations, and reliefs. We find them both on the facades and inside the buildings.
And in Casa Batlló, what are the peculiarities of the representation of the legend?
While sculptures of dragons and knights are common in other buildings, Casa Batlló takes a more symbolic and abstract approach. The legend of Sant Jordi is encrypted throughout the building.
Encrypted?
Gaudí’s greatness lies in the fact that he left doors open to the imagination. Many have interpreted the legend of Sant Jordi and the dragon in Casa Batlló, both on the facade and inside the building. The interior references the dragon’s belly and tail, while the facade features bones and skulls of the dragon’s victims, the sword of Sant Jordi, and the princess’s balcony. The interpretation of these elements may vary, but it is clear that the roof of Casa Batlló is designed to resemble a dragon. Gaudí had a fascination with dragons.
Why was he obsessed with dragons?
Gaudí was particularly fascinated by the dragon, incorporating it into works such as the Bellesguard Tower and the Botines House. The theme of battling an impossible enemy can be interpreted in various ways, including from political and cultural perspectives, making it an ideal topic for the Reinaxença movement.
Do we have proof of the representation of this legend in Casa Batlló?
No, but neither do we have any evidence to the contrary. While this interpretation has detractors, many people support it, which is perfectly fine. Legends belong to everyone and can be interpreted in various ways. Moreover, this interpretation is common. For example, on the facade of the neighboring Casa Amatller, we can see two images of Sant Jordi with the dragon.
What does the legend bring us today?
Three things. It brings us back to roots that go back centuries. It also gives us a concept of identity that is very much our own: instead of consuming “Dragon Ball” comics we consume something local. And finally, it gives us a festival like the Diada, which is round. Sant Jordi is the romantic and symbolic part of this day.
At the end of the year, you will publish a book about dragons. When did you discover the one in Casa Batlló?
When I was a little boy, one day, I passed in front of Casa Batlló with my father and pointed to the house’s roof. He said to me, “Look! What do you see up there?”