Carnival at Vilanova i La Geltrú
The Catalonian seaside town of Vilanova i La Geltrú is one of the few to have defied carnival prohibition under the Franco regime, and over the centuries the locals have retained many lively and bizarre traditions.
The celebrations start on Jueves Lardero, or Fatty Thursday, with the meringue wars and meringue cavalcade (La meringada). Invariably, everything is swiftly coated with a meringue crust.
The whole town takes part in the sweets war, or Batalla de Caramellos. Once the masses reach the Plaza de Coles the first sweets are thrown, and this fast becomes an exchange which outdoes any other food fight.
In addition to the confectionery battles locals also perform the burial of the sardine (Entierro de La Sardina), a Spanish tradition which marks the beginning of Lent and fasting.
| Contact Details | |
|---|---|
| Name: | FAC (Carnival Association) |
| Email: | carnaval.vilanova@vilanova.cat |
| Phone: | +34 938 930 101 |
| Town Information: | Vilanova i La Geltrú |
| Full Name: |
| Contact Details | |
|---|---|
| Name: | FAC (Carnival Association) |
| Email: | carnaval.vilanova@vilanova.cat |
| Phone: | +34 938 930 101 |
| Name: | Barcelona Central Tourist Office |
| Location: | Barcelona |
| Address: | Plaza de Catalunya 18, 08002 Barcelona |
| Email: | info@barcelonaturisme.com |
| Phone: | +34 93 285 3834 |
| Name: | Vilanova i La Geltrú Town Hall |
| Location: | Vilanova i La Geltrú |
| Address: | Plaza de la Vila, Vilanova i La Geltrú, Catalonia, Spain |
| Phone: | +34 93 814 0000 |
| Name: | Barcelona Tourist Office |
| Location: | Catalonia |
| Address: | Aeroport de Barcelona Terminal A, 08820 El Prat de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain |
| Email: | ot.aeroportbcn.ctc@gencat.net |
| Phone: | +34 93 478 4704 |
| Name: | Catalonia Tourist Office |
| Location: | Catalonia |
| Address: | Pg de Gràcia, 105, 08008 Barcelona |
| Email: | turistex@correu.gencat.es |
| Phone: | +34 93 484 97 55 |
| Fax: | +34 93 484 98 20 |
| Name: | Spanish National Tourist Office |
| Location: | Spain |
| Address: | José Lazaro Galdiano, 6, Madrid 28036 |
| Fax: | +34 913 43 35 00 |
| Name: | Spanish National Tourist Office (Turespaña) |
| Location: | Spain |
| Address: | Jose Lázaro Galdiano, 6, 28071 Madrid, Spain |
| Email: | infosmile@tourspain.es |
| Phone: | +34 913 43 35 00 |
| Name: | Spanish Tourist Board (London) |
| Location: | Spain |
| Address: | PO Box 4009, London, W1A 6NB |
| Email: | info.londres@tourspain.es |
| Phone: | +44 (0) 20 7486 8077 |
| Fax: | +44 (0) 20 7486 8034 |
