Barcelona is a cultural hub, home to many traditions, both ancient and new. Tres Tombs, however, is a tradition you may not have heard of. Tres Tombs, which means three turns in Catalan, is a parade of cart horses and old-fashioned carriages and wagons. This long-standing tradition draws lots of kids, and cute dogs, to the Sant Antoni barrio. The parade begins around 11 o’clock right outside of the historic Mercat de Sant Antoni. You’ll see people riding horses, tall and regal with feathers on their caps. Kids love the less formal carriages too, like the ones pulling cartoon characters!
History of the Festival of Sant Antoni
The parade is in celebration of Sant Antoni, the patron saint of animals. In some parts of Catalonia, people bring their pets to be blessed. Before the parade, the priest blesses the horses and riders, and then the pets of the spectators. During the festival, a priest blesses the horses and riders, and then the pets watching in the crowd are blessed. 2020 is the 195th iteration of Tres Tombs in Barcelona, but the tradition dates back to the fifteenth century in some towns, as people celebrate it all throughout Catalonia.
Tips for visiting with your kids
The Festival of Sant Antoni actually takes place over nine days, but Tres Tombs is by far the most kid-friendly! You should arrive a little before eleven so your kids can pet the miniature horses as they wait for the parade to begin. Be sure to bring a sack too, to collect the candy thrown along the parade route and don’t be afraid to bring a stroller to make navigating the crowds a little easier. If your kid prefers to walk, just be sure to keep an eye on them while they can’t keep their eyes off of the horses. If your kids get hungry, stop at one of the many cafés along the route, or head in to el Mercat de Sant Antoni.
Mercat de Sant Antoni
History
Mercat de Sant Antoni is a place where Barcelona’s rich past meets its bright and modern future. Open air markets are a big part of the city’s culture, combining the Mediterranean traditions of spending time outdoors and valuing fresh and local food. There are markets all over the city, but Mercat de Sant Antoni is special. Throughout history, the site has been a convergence of roads in and out of the city and today it stands on the spot where the medieval walls once were. In 2013, the city began to renovate the market and they discovered bastions, fortifications built at strategic points in the city walls, from the 15th century. The city conserved the historic bastions in the present-day market. Take a moment to read the panels detailing the history of the market to gain a better understanding of its culture.
Today
Now, the newly renovated market is home to stalls selling clothing and other trinkets on the edges of the building. The traditional market set up is in the middle, with meats and vegetables and even little restaurants. Drop in for a snack or pick up some ingredients for a picnic in Park Güell with your kids! The market is closed on Sundays, but that doesn’t mean the activities stop! Outside, you can shop for books, comics and music at the many vendor stalls. There are books for adults and books for kids too!
Although ancient history, Sant Antoni has a lasting impact on Barcelona. From the festival, with highlights like the Tres Tombs parade, to the market itself, Sant Antoni will be a highlight of your family’s visit. After the festival, discover more iconic spots in Barcelona with our Family Tour tour of Gaudí and Modernism.
