A legend and a legendary home Apr 23, 2019

A legend and a legendary home

To celebrate Sant Jordi’s Day today, we’re studying the intricate façade of Casa Batlló in Barcelona, Spain. The holiday is the Catalan celebration of Saint George’s Day, which is observed throughout Europe. According to legend, Jordi (Catalan for ‘George’) saved a princess from the clutches of a terrible dragon. After rescuing her, the knight gave the damsel a red rose, which has become an important symbol of the holiday in Catalonia. As it happens, Spaniards also celebrate April 23 as Book Day, marking the anniversary of the death of Miguel de Cervantes, the famous 16th- and 17th-century Spanish writer. So here in Barcelona, both roses and books are given to loved ones on Sant Jordi’s Day, while music and dancing fill the streets. We might pause in our revelry to spend some time taking in Casa Batlló, designed by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí. The building is heavily inspired by Sant Jordi’s legend, with red roses on the balconies, and a roof made to look like dragon scales.

© Jon Arnold Images Ltd/Alamy

palette

Today in History

Apr 23, 2018National Park Week: Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii
Apr 23, 2020Duck, duck. duck, duck, duck...
Apr 23, 2021A house of grand scale(s)
Apr 23, 2022World Book Day
Apr 23, 2023World Book Day
Apr 23, 2024World Book Day
Apr 23, 2025Shakespeare Day

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jun 15, 2018Ready for takeoff
Nov 25, 2020A dying breed of tree thrives in an American park
May 28, 2022Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park, Australia
Mar 22, 2022World Water Day
Jul 9, 2025Independence Day of the Argentine Republic
Apr 15, 2023World Art Day
Jul 18, 2018Celebrate Mandela Day
Jan 24, 2019Lights, camera, Sundance
Jun 5, 2020By the light of the fireflies
Jan 31, 2023Burchells zebras for International Zebra Day
Dec 6, 2022Everglades National Park turns 75
Jul 1, 2024Canada Day
May 7, 2021Deep in the North Woods wetlands
Nov 11, 2022Veterans Day
Jul 2, 2021A meerkat stands alone
May 3, 2021It s Teacher Appreciation Week
Apr 3, 2024Find a Rainbow Day
Sep 2, 2020A rock in a wild place
Apr 6, 2022Crested caracaras
Feb 28, 2025Tibetan New Year
Aug 4, 2020Into the woods
Apr 29, 2023Astronomy Day
Dec 4, 2020Protecting wildlife today and tomorrow
Jul 12, 2023Nakupenda Beach Nature Reserve, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Sep 30, 2024Walruses in Svalbard, Norway
Oct 23, 2020Saskatchewan s spookier side
Oct 2, 2025Oxbow Bend on the Snake River, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Oct 22, 2023Astoria-Megler Bridge, Oregon
Sep 7, 2021Whale hello there!
Oct 7, 2024Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg, Germany