Getaways

The Three Kings are coming! Surely by now you will have asked their pages to give them your wish list for presents! Now it's time to go and welcome them in all the towns and villages. Here are some of the most outstanding Three Kings Parades in Catalonia, where their arrival is one of the most anticipated festivals of the year.

THE FESTIVAL OF THE THREE KINGS IN IGUALADA

The festival of the three kings in Igualada is one of the oldest in Catalonia, and also one of the most spectacular. Along the whole course of its route through the streets of the city the pages give out presents to all the children, climbing up long ladders of all colours to reach the balconies and windows of the houses. The festival has been declared to be a Festival of National Heritage Interest.
 
THE THREE KINGS PARADE IN SANT VICENÇ DELS HORTS

Like the Three Kings Parade in Igualada, the one in Sant Vicenç dels Horts is also one of the oldest ones in Catalonia, with a tradition going back more than 120 years. First, the Three Kings, with the help of their pages, collect all the children's letters on the Royal Stage, set up near the Town Hall. Once they have all been collected the much anticipated cavalcade through the streets of the town commences.
 
THE THREE KINGS PARADE IN TARADELL

In Taradell, there is a sign to indicate that the cavalcade is about to start: the former textile and dyeing mills sound their horns. The children welcome the Three Kings in a very special way. They do it with large lavender torches, and their flames have a very important function, to guide the Three Kings towards the village, and around the streets of the town.
 
THE ARRIVAL OF THE THREE KINGS IN TARRAGONA

In Tarragona, as in other locations along the Catalan coastline, the Three Kings arrive in a different way, by boat. Their reception, in the maritime district of Serrallo, is also rather special as they are received to the sound of all the ships in the port sounding their horns and a 21-salvo firework salute. The Three Kings start their parade around the city as soon as they disembark.
 
THE THREE KINGS IN NÚRIA AND QUERALBS

What other way could there be for the Three Kings to arrive at the sanctuary of Núria other than by skiing, an event accompanied by illuminations, music and fire! There to await them are all the children who have taken the Queralbs rack railway to welcome them. Once the letters have been delivered everybody goes back down to the village and the Three Kings, accompanied by their pages, mount their carriages to parade around the town. The carriage used by the Three Kings is a historic one and is only used for special occasions.


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