Happy Sant Jordi’s Day! At Immobarceló, we want to celebrate this traditional Catalan festival with you, which commemorates the legend of Sant Jordi and the arrival of spring. That’s why we have prepared a special post in which you can learn about the history of this legendary character, his curiosities, and our literary recommendations to enjoy a day full of culture and literature. Don’t miss it!

The legend of Sant Jordi

Many years ago, in a small village in Catalonia, lived a brave knight named Sant Jordi. He was known for his courage and great love for others. One day, the village was threatened by a terrible dragon that lived in a cave near the village. The dragon was so fearsome that no one dared to face it, so it was decided to offer a random person each day to be eaten by it.

One day, the person chosen to be delivered to the dragon was the king’s daughter, a beautiful princess. The king was desperate and offered half of his kingdom and his daughter’s hand in marriage to any brave man who could defeat the dragon and save the princess. Sant Jordi, who was in love with the princess, decided to accept the challenge.

Sant Jordi rode towards the dragon’s cave with his sword in hand. When he arrived there, the dragon came out of its cave and began to breathe fire from its mouth. Sant Jordi fought bravely against the dragon, but it seemed that he couldn’t defeat it. In a moment of desperation, he asked God for help, who gave him the strength he needed to defeat the dragon.

Finally, Sant Jordi killed the dragon with his sword and freed the princess. However, the dragon had left a great wound on the knight’s side. The grateful princess healed him and fell in love with him. Together they returned to the village and were received as heroes.

As promised, the king offered him half of his kingdom and the hand of the princess in marriage. Sant Jordi accepted the offer and became the patron saint of Catalonia. Every year, on April 23, Sant Jordi’s day is celebrated, in which couples exchange roses and books as a symbol of love and friendship.

Curiosities

Sant Jordi was not Catalan

Contrary to popular belief, Sant Jordi was not originally from Catalonia. In fact, the legend tells that the brave knight was born in the Turkish region of Cappadocia in the 3rd century. It’s surprising to know that such an emblematic symbol of Catalan culture has its roots in another place.

Where did the story take place?

The celebration of Sant Jordi’s day is very popular in the city of Barcelona, but in reality, the battle between Sant Jordi and the dragon did not take place there. According to legend, it took place in the town of Montblanc, in Tarragona. It’s important to know the real history behind this legend to appreciate its cultural and symbolic significance.

When was this date established?

In 1996, UNESCO established April 23 as International Book Day. However, in Catalonia, Sant Jordi’s day has been celebrated on this date since 1926. It was the initiative of Valencian writer and journalist Vicente Clavel Andrés, who presented the proposal three years earlier to the official Book Chamber of Barcelona. Initially, it had been proposed to celebrate International Book Day on October 7.

The facade of Casa Batlló

Casa Batlló in Barcelona has a façade that is inspired by the legend of Saint George and the dragon, with details such as the dragon’s spine on the rooftop tiles, Saint George’s four-armed sword, and the princess’s flower-shaped balcony. Additionally, every year during the celebration of Saint George, Casa Batlló puts on a performance in which a mantle of roses covers its façade and a shower of petals inside represents the dragon’s blood.

5 book recommendations related to the real estate world that you can gift or read on Sant Jordi

“The Intelligent Investor” by Benjamin Graham – This is a classic in stock market investment, but it contains valuable lessons for those looking to invest in real estate properties. The book offers a practical guide to market analysis and identifying long-term investment opportunities.

“The Millionaire Real Estate Agent” by Gary Keller – This book focuses on how to become a successful real estate agent, addressing topics such as lead generation, marketing, and time management. It is a practical and detailed guide for anyone looking to start a career in the real estate business.

“Nolo Press Home Buyer’s Guide” – This book is an excellent tool for those looking to buy a home or investment property. It covers all aspects of the buying process, from property search to negotiation and closing the deal. It includes useful tips and strategies to help you make informed decisions.

“The Smart Brick” by Jonathan Lepage – This book focuses on investing in rental properties and discusses how to maximize income and reduce risks. It contains practical advice for purchasing, managing, and maintaining rental properties, as well as strategies for dealing with problem tenants and maintaining profitability.

“The Book on Rental Property Investing” by Brandon Turner – This book is another excellent option for those looking to invest in rental properties. It offers practical and detailed advice on how to identify profitable properties, finance the investment, and efficiently manage the properties. It also covers strategies for creating long-term wealth through real estate investment.

And thus, we conclude this post dedicated to the Diada de Sant Jordi! We hope you have enjoyed the legend of this brave knight and the magical day on which it is celebrated. We also hope we have inspired you with our literary recommendations so that you can immerse yourself in new stories and emotions. At Immobarceló, we want to wish you a happy Sant Jordi, and may this day be full of love, culture, and magic.

Until next time!