Every May 11th, in Barcelona is celebrated the Fair of Saint Pontius. Nothing to do with Pilate... it's about the patron saint of herbalists, who according to the legend visited Barcelona and realizing the many diseases the population was suffering, started preparing potions and ointments to cure them. As a sign of appreciation, herbalist fairs have been runned in Barcelona in his honour since the 15hundreds.
I was born and raised in the Sarrià district, which is one of the few local neighbourhoods that still keeps this traditional fair every May 11th. I've got great memories of visiting the fair in Plaça Sant Vicenç, enjoying the smell of the herbs as well as the parfums made by a local producer, the taste of the honey and other artisan food, the fun of seeing real bees in their honey combs... It was a magical day!
But after I moved to leave in Gràcia some years ago, going back to Sarrià in purpose for the fair hasn't always been possible. Instead, it's become more convenient for me visiting the main Sant Ponç fair in the city: the one along Hospital street, in the Raval quarter (Old Town). That's what I did this year, and I took some pictures for you.
Two more Sant Ponç fairs totally tourist free: in the Poblesec district (Blai street) and in Nou Barris (Via Julia).
Plus this year I had an extra: in one end of the Fair, along Rambla del Raval, was taking place a gathering of lace-makers!
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