Question of the day: What were the names of the three ships that set sail from Spain on August 3, 1492 as part of Christopher Columbus´ maiden voyage? The answer is The Niña, the Pinta, and Santa María. With Columbus Day rapidly approaching, now is as good a time as ever to brush up on some history that certainly all of us have learned at one point in our lives.

Funded by the monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castille, Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain with the intention of finding a western trade route to Asia. They landed October 12, 1492; however, where he landed was not his intended destination. This was perhaps history´s greatest mistake, for the land Columbus discovered eventually became the United States of America.

On this same day of October 12, Spain celebrates one of its two national holidays, La Fiesta Nacional. Similar to the national holiday in the United States, the day is a remembrance of Columbus´ voyage and the tremendous impact on history it had. So whether you get the day off school in celebration or fondly remember the days when you did, let´s all make sure to remember a great day in history.

We here at ComeToBarcelona want to wish all of you a happy and peaceful La Diada- or the National Day of Catalunya. This day is especially significant to Catalans because it represents the day, in 1714, when soldiers fighting for the Bourbon monarchy conquered the city of Barcelona- effectively ending Catalunya's era of substantive self-governance. For on this day the institutions, rights, and lands of the Crown of Catalunya and Aragon were abolished by the victorious Bourbon force, effectively ending the War of Spanish Succession.

Hanging the Estelada from one's balcony is a common sight on La Diada

For more than 30 years, during the dicatorship of Franco, the observance of this national holiday was prohibited. Finally, after the restoration of democracy and the Generalitat (the Catalan government), the festival was once agin permitted to be celebrated. In fact in 1980, as its first official act, the newly restored Generalitat proclaimed La Diada (September 11th) as the national holiday of Catalunya.

Today is a very political holiday, and there are several memorials, rallies, and concerts occurring throughout the city. Many citizens hang senyeres or estelades from their windows and balconies as a show of support for Catalan self-determination. If you are here today, you will make many more friends if you understand the history and significance of this day, than if you don't.

So celebrate Catalunya, and an official holiday, and make sure you've got your apartment in Barcelona to do so!

Cataluña, like many other Spanish regions, has many local customs, traditions, and parties. These events and traditions typically take place in the plazas and streets located around the area.

One of the most celebrated holidays is the day of Sant Jordi, the patron saint of Catalonia, which is celebrated on April 23rd all throughout Catalonia. This date is celebrated on the day of the book and rose. Barcelona has floral perfumes all throughout the streetS, especially in the main areas of the city. The Barcelona citizens leave to the street in search of roses and books for their loved ones, friends, and soul mates.

The origin of this festival is very unique and it blends traditions/customs that are from different times. This festival marks the day that Sant Jordi was the patron of Cataluña (since the year 1456) with the custom of a parade of roses in the Palace of Generalitiat.

More traditional celebrations were added on the Day of the Book that was established in Spain in 1926. The celebration ended up mixed a variety of Catalan traditions which created a great public acceptance to the idea.

Sant Jordi is one of the dates that Catalans advise tourists interested in Barcelona to come. If you are interested in visiting the city for Sant Jordi, check out our prices and availability for Barcelona apartments.