Santa Tecla: Tarragona's Festa Major

Santa Tecla is Tarragona's festa major, one of the most important festivals in Catalonia, built around 23 September, the city's patron saint's day. For around ten days the Part Alta (old town) fills with human towers, fire-runs and the seguici popular: a blend of tradition, fire and culture that has earned national recognition.

When it takes place

The big day is 23 September, a local public holiday. The full programme, however, runs for roughly ten days, usually from mid-month until the closing fire-run. The city council publishes the exact dates and official programme each year, so check the Tarragona tourism website before planning your trip, as the specific days can shift from one year to the next.

The castells, UNESCO heritage

The castells, or human towers, are the soul of the festival. Declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2010, they rise in structures of six to ten levels, crowned by children who climb to the very top. They embody values of effort, balance and teamwork. Every two years Tarragona also hosts the prestigious Concurs de Castells, the most important human-tower competition on the calendar.

The seguici popular and the fire

The heart of Santa Tecla is the seguici popular, a parade of traditional figures featuring giants (gegants), big-heads (capgrossos), the bestiary and l'Àliga, the eagle that is one of the city's most emblematic symbols. On the afternoon of the 23rd it accompanies the saint's relic through the old-town streets. At night come the correfocs: devils and fire-beasts that race through the streets amid sparks, drumming and crowds. The fire-run usually closes the festival.

Tips for enjoying it

If you join the fire-run, wear cotton clothing with long sleeves, avoid synthetic fabrics and keep a safe distance. For the human towers, the squares fill up early, so arriving in good time pays off. The Part Alta is the liveliest area and most events are free and outdoors. September is warm, but evenings cool down, so a light jacket is a smart idea.

Looking for accommodation in Tarragona? During Santa Tecla the city fills up, so booking ahead makes all the difference. Compare hotels in the centre and on the coast on Booking.com.

Getting there

Tarragona is very well connected. Camp de Tarragona station handles high-speed trains (AVE/AVANT) and sits about 11 km from the city, in La Secuita, with a shuttle-bus service. The central Tarragona station receives regional and Euromed trains from Barcelona Sants, with journeys of roughly 30 to 90 minutes depending on the service. During the festival public transport is best, as the historic centre is pedestrianised and parking is tricky.

Want activities in Tarragona? Guided tours of the Roman old town and Costa Daurada experiences to round off your trip on GetYourGuide.

More about Tarragona

If you are planning your visit, these guides will help you make the most of the trip: hotels, what to do, heritage and how to get there.