Did you know that animals have their own saint? 17th January is the day of San Antonio Abad, the patron of animals. Once upon a time peasants entrusted San Abad as the protector of animals against predators and diseases. Once a year they went to ask for blessings for all kinds of animals: chickens, horses, goats, etc.. The blessing of San Antonio meant a guarantee of health and well-being for the animals during an entire year.
This day is celebrated everywhere in Spain, in Barcelona it takes place in the neighborhood of Sant Antoni, where at the same time they also celebrate the annual festivities. It is a very peculiar celebration. After the morning mass, local people march with their pets as in a religious procession to the priest who blesses their animals. It’s quite funny scenery. Some of the animals seem to know what is happening and they put themselves in front of the priest without being told, while others don’t see the fun in that and try to escape from the holy water. I was there for a while watching the act, most of the animals were dogs although there were some cats and birds, too.
The neighborhood of Sant Antoni is one of the central districts of Barcelona. Maybe because it was the first neighborhood I lived in when I moved to Barcelona, I have special affection for this part of the city. Probably the most famous point of Sant Antoni is the local market (San Antoni market) from the 19th century, which is open during the whole week and for me it is the most authentic market in Barcelona, where they sell food, clothes and many other things. At the moment the original building is under reconstruction, and the merchants sell their products in a temporary building nearby, but we can still walk around the original building.
The district of Sant Antoni is situated in a strategic spot in the city center. We can find some of the most important squares you should visit in Barcelona close to this neighborhood, walking in different directions. We can take a really pleasant stroll from Sant Antoni through Plaza Universidad and the Raval neighborhood, finishing our walk in the central square of Plaza Catalunya.
Plaza Universidad is one of the largest squares in Barcelona. It does not occupy an important place in the tourist guides, but it’s really worth visiting it. The atmosphere is very pleasant with the surrounding palm trees and the constant noise of youngsters who meet up here. The beautiful antique building of the University of Barcelona stands as a guard giving a bohemian feeling to the square. It is highly recommendable visiting the university from the inside, and you can check out the gardens in the patio, which are one of the hidden corners of tranquility in the city center.
The Raval is the neighborhood just next to Sant Antoni. It had a bad reputation for being the neighborhood where criminals, prostitutes were hanging around. Once it was also full of brothels, although it has always been a neighborhood of many bars, halls for dance shows and other places to hang out during the night. Nowadays crime has long gone, and Raval is probably the most colorful neighborhood of the city with a touch of decadence. It is still a place with exciting atmosphere during the night, where you can find infinite kinds of cultural centers, bars and discotheques. The main street of district is the Rambla del Raval, where you can sit down during the day on a bench or at some of the many terraces to enjoy the sun and the ambience of this lively neighborhood.
Plaza Catalunya is considered as the central hub of Barcelona, where important roads, metro and train lines meet. It represents a meeting point between the historic and the modern city, as it’s situated between the Gothic neighborhood and the modern district of Eixample. It is a huge square with some nice fountains and sculptures, which some hosts concerts, celebrations, political acts and other activities.
While you are in town, you definitely have to try some of the great tapas food offered in Barcelona. The problem is that there are so many kinds that you won’t know which one to chose without some help, so check out the 10 best tapas you can eat in Barcelona.
I’d love to observe the animals being blessed. How amazing that some animals want to participate. I enjoyed the pictures of your beautiful city.
Thank you Francene! Yes, it is very funny to see the animals participating in the blessing:)
This is really cute & what a lovely idea! I love animals 🙂
Yeah Sophie, some of the dogs were really cute as they we were waiting for the blessing!
I, too, loved reading this post and savoring the photos. I’d love to see the animals’ reactions to the ritual! And since I am reading your blog in snowy New Hampshire (in the US) I felt quite warmed by your photos and descriptions of Barcelona. So thank you! 😉
We are really glad Paula that you felt warmed by our post!
….that market looks absolutely fabulous! I’d want to live there too!
Thanks Caro! The Spanish markets in general have special atmosphere, and the one in Sant Antoni, Barcelona is one of the best!
What a beautiful tree-lined street and neighborhood! How cool to have a day for blessing animals. I used to attend a church that did that once a year, too.
Thanks Jeanine for the comment! I am glad that you liked the vibe transmitted by the Raval neighborhood in Barcelona!
Fantastic post – the images enhanced it 1000 percent! I’ve never had Barcelona in my travel sights – but I’m rethinking that now.
Barcelona has so many secret beauties that you can never get to visit all of them. I have been living here for many years, but the city can still surprise me.
So many wonderful pictures and stories. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Dorit! I am happy to know that you liked our stories and pictures!
Me and my girlfriend hired bicycles on our last trip to Barcelona (we have been there three times) and it was an amazing experience. We love the area and always enjoy the great fish restaurants!
Happy to hear that you like Barcelona! There are many areas where you can bike around, I can imagine that you had a good experience! We also have some favorite fish restaurants on the beach!
My aunts church also holds a blessing each year for all the animals in the community. Everyone bring their animals to church and they are given the blessing of San Antonio. I think this is a beautiful tradition! Thank you for sharing the beauty of Barcelona!
Healthy blessings!
Thanks Gena! It is so nice to know that these traditions exist in parts of the world which are so distant from each other!
I love the juxtaposition of the blessing of the animals directly followed by a photo of the (meat) market in the neighborhood.
Your description of the blessing was excellent – I envision all the cats cringing and dodging the holy water…maybe because they are evil. Haha.
Beautiful photos accompanying the post.
Thanks Greg for your comment, you made me smile!:) Seems that for those animals which ended up in the market, the blessing didn’t go well, haha.
Those photos are striking, especially that of the market. Really pulls me into the culture and atmosphere. And who doesn’t love our furry friends?
We are glad that the post were able to pull you to the atmosphere of Barcelona! Thanks for commenting!
how wonderful that the animals get blessed it would be amazing to see one day.
Thanks Michele! It is a quite peculiar act, was fun watching it!
Dawww animals should always be blessed. Though I’m partial on cats. ha ha.
I think cats are harder to be convinced about getting blessed, haha:)