Three Kings Day in Barcelona
Los 3 Reyes Magos
On the night of January 5, Barcelona receives Three Magic Kings of the Orient (Reyes Mago del Oriente), also called the Magi, or Three Wise Men, with a great parade on the streets of the city. Known in the Anglo-Saxon world as the Epiphany, the arrival of the Three Kings is expected in Spain with great anticipation and multitudinous celebrations. Here, neither Santa Claus nor Saint Nicholas bring Christmas presents, but the Three Kings, whose generosity is felt on every morning of January 6. If you are planning to come to Barcelona, get the most unique experience with BE Apartment in the best luxury apartments in Barcelona and other cities, for your security, pleasure and comfort.
The tradition explains that once the Three Kings made their gifts to the baby Jesus, they gave away gifts to all the children during their return trip. In the past, the Three Kings were mysterious characters who arrived at night without anyone seeing them. Currently, the night of January 5 is associated with the parade of the Kings, who arrive in a carriage, throw candy and collect letters from children who have left them for the last hour. That night kids go to bed very early and when they wake up in the morning, they find either gifts or charcoal, depending on their behavior during the previous year.
Since 1960's, the Three Kings arrive in Barcelona by sea and are received at the foot of the ship by the mayor, who gives them the keys of the city so that they can open, only for one night, the doors of all the houses in the city. The bank holiday is on January 6, the day when wise astrologers from the Orient came to Bethlehem to worship the baby Jesus and made gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. That's why the main component of the celebration are still the gifts. It was not until the seventh century when the Kings began to be 3 - Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar - and with a definite origin: Europe, Asia and Africa. Some medieval interpretations also drew them as 3 states of men: wisdom, maturity and youth.
La Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos or the Three Kings Parade begins at 4.30 pm, at the Moll de la Fusta. Their Majesties will arrive with the Santa Eulàlia pailebot in the company of all their assistants. After the traditional welcoming ceremony of Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar, starting at 6:00 pm they will tour several streets of the city; Marqués de la Argentera avenue, Pla de Palau, Isabel II promenade, Via Laietana, Urquinaona square, Fontanella, Plaza Catalunya, Pelai, Plaza Universitat, Sant Antoni street, Sepúlveda, Paral·lel avenue, Plaza España.
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