In Barcelona we celebrate the Night of Saint John welcoming the summer solstice. It’s the shortest night of the year and it is surrounded by magic, symbols and legends. Three elements define this ancestral celebration. Fire is the purifying element that liberates us from bad luck. To this end, during the Night of Saint John, old furniture is heaped together to form bonfires and fireworks can be seen all over the city – an incomparable spectacle of light and sound. The second element is water, which is said to offer healing powers on this night. The custom is to take a bath in the sea and so Barcelona’s beaches witness thousands taking part in this ritual and formulating their special wishes. Herbs are the third magical element of the Night of Saint John. It is believed that plants multiply a hundredfold their medicinal properties on this night and thyme, rosemary and verbena are consequently harvested as cures. Everything about the Night of Saint John seems to point directly to the senses.
Deciding to get to know this magical Barcelona night is a sure bet to make your trip truly unforgettable. And what better way to experience this magic then staying at the Paseo de Gracia’s newest and luxurious star, the Hotel Mandarin Oriental? This impressive establishment not only sports one of the best locations in Barcelona but also has unequaled facilities. Everything in the Mandarin Oriental is designed and conceived with an incredible love of detail: the exceptional furniture, the quality of its restaurants, the discreet and pleasant attention of the staff, and above all the best terrace with views onto Barcelona’s most glamorous boulevard. The Mandarin Oriental without doubt is the place to be in Barcelona!
And if you would like to complete your visit by enjoying cultural activities on this magical night of June 23rd, we recommend going to the Palau de al Música Catalana for a night of opera and flamenco with pieces from Bizet, Puccini, Verdi and the “song of the will-o’-the-wisp” by Manuel de Falla, which for sure will accompany us straight into this magical Barcelona summer night.
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