National Day of Catalonia – La Diada

La Diada Nacional de Catalunya, or simply La Diada, is the National Day of Catalonia, celebrated on September 11th. On this day, the streets of Catalonia, especially in Barcelona, are filled with Catalan flags, and people gather to commemorate a significant historical event. Although officially a regional holiday, for the Catalans, it is regarded as their true “national” day.

Historical Background: The Fall of Barcelona

La Diada commemorates the Siege of Barcelona in 1714 during the War of Spanish Succession. On September 11, 1714, the last stronghold of resistance, the Castle of Cardona (north of Barcelona), surrendered after the fall of Barcelona. This marked a turning point in Catalonia’s history.

Spanish Occupation

After Barcelona’s defeat, Philip V of Spain established a highly centralized government, abolishing Catalonia’s autonomy. Many Catalans view this event as the beginning of their occupation by Spain, leading to centuries of struggle for identity and independence.

Catalan Nationalism

September 11, 1714, was far from a day of joy. Initially, La Diada was not celebrated with festivities, but rather observed as a day of mourning, honoring those who died during the War of Succession and the subsequent fall of Barcelona.

Throughout the 19th century, much like other regions in Europe, Catalonia developed a strong sense of nationalism and a desire to preserve its unique language and culture. La Diada became a symbol of this identity.

However, under the dictatorship of Francisco Franco (1939-1975), the celebration of La Diada, along with other Catalan traditions, symbols, and the language, was strictly banned.

The Turning Point: September 11, 1976

Just a year after Franco’s death, on September 11, 1976, Barcelona witnessed one of the largest demonstrations in its history. Over a million people took to the streets, demanding greater autonomy for Catalonia. This event marked the rebirth of La Diada as a true national holiday.

In 1980, Catalonia officially recognized La Diada as a public holiday. Schools and most shops close for the day, and the streets are filled with demonstrations and celebrations

Things to do on the National Day of Catalonia

While shopping is not an option on this public holiday, Barcelona offers plenty of free events and cultural experiences on September 11th.

• Palau de la Generalitat and the Parliament of Catalonia: Visit these iconic government buildings located at Plaça Sant Jaume in the Gothic Quarter and in Ciutadella Park. These tours provide insight into Catalonia’s rich political history and architecture.
  You can book your visit to Palau de la Generalitat online. For the Parliament, no reservation is needed.
• Festa de la Llibertat: Join the crowds between Ciutadella Park and Arc de Triomf for concerts and performances celebrating freedom.
• Museu d’Història de Catalunya: The Catalan History Museum offers free entrance and guided tours on the events of 1714, including the fall of Barcelona. Tours run every half hour until 2:30 pm.
• MNAC, Palau Güell, and MUHBA: Some of the city’s top cultural attractions, including the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC), Palau Güell, and the Barcelona History Museum (MUHBA), offer free entry on La Diada. You can also visit Palau de la Virreina and El Born CCM for free, where additional guided tours are available.
• Plaza Catalunya Concerts: Don’t miss the lively concerts at Plaça Catalunya throughout the day.

Free Entry on September 11:

• Palau de la Generalitat
• Parlament de Catalunya
• MNAC (National Art Museum)
• Museu d’Història de Catalunya
• Palau Güell
• MUHBA (Barcelona History Museum)
• Palau de la Virreina
• El Born CCM

Ceremonies and Demonstrations

La Diada traditionally begins with a ceremony at the Rafael Casanova Monument, located near Plaça Urquinaona. Catalonia’s political leaders participate, laying wreaths to honor this historic figure.

La Diada has historically been marked by large-scale demonstrations, with up to a million people gathering in Barcelona in past years to support Catalan independence. One of the most memorable moments was in 2014, when demonstrators formed a 11 km-long human “V”, symbolizing victory, free will, and voting.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the scale of these demonstrations. In 2020, public gatherings were much smaller due to health restrictions. While the 2021 rally saw a cautious return to the streets, with a march from Plaça Urquinaona to La Ciutadella Park, it was not as large as previous years.

Since then, the scale and intensity of demonstrations have fluctuated. While La Diada remains a deeply significant day, recent years have seen smaller, more localized gatherings compared to the massive rallies of the past. Factors such as the reduced momentum of the independence movement and ongoing political developments in Spain have played a role in this shift.

Despite the smaller crowds, demonstrations continue to be an important aspect of La Diada, with many Catalans using the day to express their desire for greater autonomy or independence. The atmosphere remains charged with cultural pride and political activism, even if the massive rallies seen in the past are less frequent.

The Catalan Independence Flag: Estelada

To truly immerse yourself in the spirit of La Diada, join the demonstrators waving the Estelada, the flag symbolizing Catalan independence. This flag features the traditional yellow and red stripes of Catalonia with a blue triangle and white star. You’ll see it proudly displayed on balconies across Barcelona.

Another version, the red-star Estelada, is often used by more socialist-leaning movements and became popular during the 1970s.