Every September 11, Catalonia comes alive with the Diada, a day that balances historical reflection, political activism, and the celebration of Catalan traditions. If you’re visiting during this time, the Diada is a unique opportunity to dive into Catalonia’s history and identity. As a public holiday, the day is filled with diverse activities, ensuring a memorable and engaging experience. The Diada de Catalunya carries an institutional and advocatory tone, but it is also a day to take to the streets to showcase our culture. You can join in traditional sardana dances, marvel at human tower displays throughout the territory, or visit landmarks and museums that open their doors for free on this special day of 11 September. What is Catalonia’s National Day? At the end of summer, Catalonia celebrates its national holiday, a day marked by a strong advocatory spirit but also an excellent opportunity to discover Catalan identity. With this day marked on the calendar, public institutions organize events and tributes tied to the memory of the 1714 defence of Barcelona during the War of the Spanish Succession. The day blends cultural festivities, concerts, demonstrations, and informational booths, showcasing both Catalan pride and its ongoing aspirations. Why is Catalonia’s National Day celebrated on 11 September? The date commemorates 11 September 1714, when Barcelona fell to Bourbon troops after a prolonged siege, marking the end of the War of the Spanish Succession. This conflict, lasting nearly 15 years, saw Catalonia support Archduke Charles of Austria against Philip of Anjou, who ultimately became King Philip V. The defeat profoundly shaped Catalonia’s recent history. The commemoration of 1714 began many years later, in the late 19th century during a period of cultural revival in many areas. Over the past 150 years, the Diada’s tone has shifted with the political climate, but since 1980, it has been officially recognized as Catalonia’s national holiday. How is the Diada celebrated today? Institutional tributes and political demands take centre stage on 11 September. The heart of the Diada lies in Barcelona. Here, floral offerings honour figures like Rafael Casanova and Josep Moragues, key players in the city’s siege, with participation from political parties, and many civic entities, clubs and associations. An official event is also held at Ciutadella Park, a significant site from the 1714 siege. Beyond formalities, the Diada is a vibrant public celebration. As it is a public holiday, it is an ideal time to take advantage of the various events that many towns and cities across Catalonia host to highlight local traditions. Almost every town celebrates 11 September in its own way, a day to share in the streets and reaffirm our roots. Don’t Miss the Activities Held Throughout Catalonia You can take advantage of the Diada to visit many public buildings, monuments, and museums that open their doors for free during the day. This includes the Palace of the Generalitat or the Parliament of Catalonia. But September 11 is also a great opportunity to explore some of the most prominent attractions of our heritage and many museums that will help you understand our history. Examples include the National Art Museum of Catalonia, the Museum of the History of Catalonia, or the various sites of the Archaeological Museum. Many monuments scattered throughout Catalonia also offer free access during this day. The 1714 Route: A Journey to the Origin of the Diada However, we want to highlight some places where the Diada celebration holds special significance because they were settings of the War of the Spanish Succession. To connect these places, the 1714 Route has been created, featuring ten locations across the territory, such as the Seu Vella in Lleida, the University of Cervera, or the village of Talamanca. Particularly noteworthy is the Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria, in the heart of Barcelona, where the archaeological remains of the neighbourhood destroyed after the 1714 siege are located. Also notable is the town of Cardona and its impressive castle, which was the last stronghold to surrender to the Bourbon troops on 18 September. Every year on this day, a theatrical re-enactment of Cardona’s capitulation is held here. Pure Popular Culture: Sardanas and Human Towers But the Diada de Catalunya is, above all, a great opportunity to discover some of the most characteristic elements of our popular culture. This includes the sardana, Catalonia’s most typical dance. On 11 September, it is common for many towns and cities to organize gatherings where you’ll be welcome to learn the simple steps of this dance. It’s also a day to enjoy the spectacle of castells (Human Towers), the human towers recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, which will leave you speechless. Taking advantage of the festive day, major castell events are organized in some of the cities with the strongest tradition, such as Valls or Tarragona, but also in Barcelona. The Diada, a Day Full of Symbolism For many Catalans, the Diada carries significant symbolic weight as an advocacy of our past and the struggle represented by the defence of Barcelona in 1714. In recent years, demonstrations linked to the political situation have also been significant due to the large number of participants. However, the Diada has also become a festive day, even for sharing with family or the community, with, for example, sweets that have become popular, such as the Sant Jordi cake or bread. The Diada de Catalunya is the perfect day to discover our culture and our past by visiting museums, monuments, or attending the events organized throughout the territory.