A legend and a legendary home Apr 23, 2019

A legend and a legendary home

To celebrate Sant Jordi’s Day today, we’re studying the intricate façade of Casa Batlló in Barcelona, Spain. The holiday is the Catalan celebration of Saint George’s Day, which is observed throughout Europe. According to legend, Jordi (Catalan for ‘George’) saved a princess from the clutches of a terrible dragon. After rescuing her, the knight gave the damsel a red rose, which has become an important symbol of the holiday in Catalonia. As it happens, Spaniards also celebrate April 23 as Book Day, marking the anniversary of the death of Miguel de Cervantes, the famous 16th- and 17th-century Spanish writer. So here in Barcelona, both roses and books are given to loved ones on Sant Jordi’s Day, while music and dancing fill the streets. We might pause in our revelry to spend some time taking in Casa Batlló, designed by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí. The building is heavily inspired by Sant Jordi’s legend, with red roses on the balconies, and a roof made to look like dragon scales.

© Jon Arnold Images Ltd/Alamy

palette

Today in History

Apr 23, 2018National Park Week: Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii
Apr 23, 2020Duck, duck. duck, duck, duck...
Apr 23, 2021A house of grand scale(s)
Apr 23, 2022World Book Day
Apr 23, 2023World Book Day
Apr 23, 2024World Book Day
Apr 23, 2025Shakespeare Day

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Dec 26, 2019It s Slovenia s Independence and Unity Day
Mar 3, 2024World Wildlife Day
Jan 31, 2018Sunbeams across Tartu County, Estonia
Apr 8, 2022Ponta Delgada
Dec 7, 2019Remembering the Arizona
Jan 9, 2019What, no escalator?
Mar 26, 2022Spring awakens
Oct 27, 2022Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Italy
Mar 9, 2024Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, New Mexico
Sep 6, 2023Rethymno, Crete, Greece
Feb 3, 2023Quebec City for Winter Carnival
Mar 22, 2023World Water Day
Nov 1, 2018Celebrating the Day of the Dead
Nov 10, 2023Badlands National Parks 45th anniversary
Sep 17, 2022Oktoberfest
Apr 1, 2021Why do elephants hide in trees?
Apr 26, 2021Cheese! We ll go somewhere where there s cheese!
Nov 20, 2018Flamingos of the Chilean desert
Jul 27, 2023Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel and the Louvre Pyramid
May 13, 2021Hues of Hokkaido
Aug 19, 2024National Aviation Day
Jul 18, 2020The moth wonderful time of the year
May 3, 2023Wildebeests in Maasai Mara, Kenya
Aug 30, 2019It s fair season
Oct 3, 2024Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
Oct 18, 2021A Welsh wonder turns 70
Jan 24, 2024Diamond Beach, Iceland
Jul 7, 2021Back on the rise
Apr 10, 2022Siblings Day
Jan 28, 2018Winter scenery near Kuhmo, Finland