Legend of Saint George: Discover the story
April 23rd, Sant Jordi's Day, is known for authors signing books in Barcelona's main thoroughfares and lovers exchanging roses. But what's the story behind this tradition?
The Story of Sant Jordi
The legend of Sant Jordi tells how, centuries ago, a dragon, capable of poisoning the air and killing with its breath, lived in Montblanc (Tarragona) and terrorized all the inhabitants of the area. To appease the monster's ferocity, they decided to offer the beast a person from the town, chosen by lot, every day. Bad luck fell upon the princess of the place, who was sent to be devoured by the dragon.
As the princess made her way towards Montblanc, the knight Sant Jordi appeared on a white horse to rescue her. The armed knight pierced the dragon with his sword, freeing all the inhabitants from the beast. From the blood of the giant reptile sprang a rose bush with the reddest roses anyone had ever seen. Sant Jordi picked the most beautiful one and gave it to the princess.
From this act of bravery comes the tradition of giving roses on April 23rd. The book detail was added because Sant Jordi coincides with International Book Day.
The exchange of flowers already took place in medieval times, when it was customary to visit the chapel of Sant Jordi in the Palau de la Generalitat, where a rose fair, or also called, lovers' fair, was held. Today, in addition to the celebrations in Barcelona, theatrical and musical performances are held in Montblanc to revive the legend. In its old town there is a gate, the Portal de Sant Jordi, through which the knight is said to have passed after killing the dragon.
A legend that remains alive and that every year, lovers revive by bringing a rose to their beloved, just as Sant Jordi did in his day.
All the works in this article are creations by Natalio Bayo.
1 comment
San Jorge, el Santo Patron de tantos paises y tantos lugares!
Gracias a este articulo, he descubierto que, en Cataluña, fue en Montblanc cuando Sant Jordi libero a la princesa del Dragon. Entiendo ahora porque se regala una rosa en dicha conmemoracion.
Muchas gracias.