The Trabucaires de Sant Cugat will be the flag bearers of this year's Rua dels Tres Tombs, an honor that places them at the head of the procession and makes them the protagonists of this centuries-old tradition.
The weekend of January 17 and 18, Sant Cugat will once again celebrate the traditional festival of Sant Antoni Abat, patron saint of animals, in a tribute to the city's agricultural roots. The celebration is organized by the Sant Antoni Abat Festival Commission and the Sant Cugat City Council, and has more than 150 years of history in the city.
The highlights of the festival will be the Foguerons, which will take place on Saturday afternoon, and the Passada dels Tres Tombs, scheduled for Sunday morning. This year, furthermore, the Passada dels Tres Tombs will feature a new route: the standard-bearers will finish in Plaça de Barcelona, but the carts will continue the procession, which will end in front of the Emma Vilarasau Theatre-Auditorium, the same point from which it will begin
Why is Sant Antoni Abat's Day celebrated?
Legend tells of Saint Anthony, a boy who lived in 3rd-century Egypt, who was a great friend to animals and healed injured creatures. This is why Saint Anthony Abbot is considered the patron saint of cloven-hoofed animals and, by extension, of all domestic animals.
From this protection of Saint Anthony Abbot towards animals, the devotion of agricultural professionals to this festival derived. Initially, only those with round feet like donkeys and horses attended, but now, during the celebration of the Three Laps, people with animals of all kinds approach for the priest to bless them in the name of Saint Anthony Abbot.
Depending on the town or city, the festival of Sant Antoni has taken on different forms. One of them, and the one celebrated in Sant Cugat, is the "Tres Tombs" procession, which consists of a parade of carts, carriages, and animals through the city center
Sant Antoni Activities in Sant Cugat
Saturday, January 17 (Sant Antoni Abat's Day)
- 9 a.m.: Solemn service and distribution of blessed bread at the Monastery church
- 11 a.m.: Workshop led by Xavi Lozano: create an instrument with a hard 1.5L plastic bottle (each person must bring their own)
- 12 p.m.: Vermouth and concert with Bufa & Sons
- 5:30 p.m.: Traditional dances and confrontation between Saint Anthony and the Devil in Octavià Square
- 6:30 p.m.: Parade of the Festa dels Foguerons
- 7 p.m.: Lighting of the Foguerons by the devils and triumph of Saint Anthony in Barcelona Square
- 8 p.m.: Popular dinner and concert by Filibusters
Sunday, January 18
- 9 am: Farmer's breakfast in Ramon Barnils park
- 11 am: Start of the Tres Tombs parade. Route: Avinguda del Pla del Vinyet - avinguda Torreblanca - rambla del Celler - roundabout of La Pollancreda park - avinguda de Cerdanyola - carrer de la Creu - passeig de Francesc Macià - blessing behind the Monastery - rambla del Celler - carrer de Sant Bonaventura - carrer Xerric - plaça de Barcelona (delivery of souvenirs) - carrer Girona - rambla Ribatallada - avinguda Pla del Vinyet.
- 12 pm: Vermouth and concert with the accordions of the Traditional Music School in plaça de Barcelona
On Saturday, January 17, and Sunday, January 18, the "Mercat de Traginers" (Carters' Market) will also take place in Plaça de Barcelona, where you can buy craft beer, wines, cheeses, honey, and local cured meats. Additionally, you can also purchase the traditional Tortell de Sant Antoni.
