September 11th: Catalonia’s National DayPopular festivals and traditions, With the family
09/11/2024

On September 11th 1714 the city of Barcelona fell after a long siege by the duke of Berwick in the War of the Spanish Succession. The French Bourbons were fighting against the Austrian Habsburgs to obtain the control of the Spanish Crown. This date also represented the abolition of the Catalan civil institutions and rights. September 11th was chosen for its symbolism to commemorate Catalonia's National Day (Diada Nacional de Catalunya). During the whole day protest activities, as well as entertaining ones, take place in Barcelona and in other towns throughout the country. Traditionally, in the morning of September 11th the political parties and entities bring floral tributes to the monument of Rafael de Casanova, who had an outstanding participation in the War of the Spanish Succession. Many museums of Barcelona also take part in this event with an open day.