SAINTS, SWEETS & HORSE POO

Sticky Streets of Sant Medir

Every March, in the barrio of G ràcia is the historic festival of Sant Medir. Groups of locals ride around on horses and lorries. They are accompanied by bands of wondering minstrels and throw literally tonnes of sweets to people in the streets. All jolly good fun, especially if you are a five-year old. But it does beg the question, why?

Well the story comes in two parts. The first definitely falls firmly on the legend side of the reality fence. Whilst the second is actually recorded as fact.

Running from The Romans

Jump back to about 303 A.D. Thereupon we find the then Bishop of Barcelona, Severus, being chased by a bunch of Roman soldiers. It was the start of the Diocletian Persecution. Undoubtedly a rather dangerous ten year period in Roman history. It involved capturing Christians and murdering them on the spot. If you had a coliseum was handy, you could also feed them to the lions and make a few quid on ticket sales.

Magic beans?

Escaping towards Sant Cugat. Up in the Collserola Hills north of Barcelona. Severus came upon a farmer called Emeterius (Medi in Catalan) planting fava beans in his field. Presumably surprised to see a bishop running past in the middle of the day, Emeterius stopped working to watch.

A panting Severus explained his situation. Then surprisingly requested that if the Romans came Emeterius should tell the truth and point them in the right direction. As the Bishop dashed off miraculously all the beans Emeterius had just been planting suddenly began to grow.

Liar, liar pants on fire

Sure enough the soldiers arrived and Emeterius did as he was told. He explained that he had been planting his beans when the Bishop had run past and helpfully pointed out where he had gone.

Despite this, the soldiers seeing the green shoots in the field, thought that the farmer was taking the mickey out of them. And accordingly arrested the poor fellow and carried on with their chase. In true Roman efficiency both Severus and Emeterius were later killed in Sant Cugat. The bishop firstly being flogged and then having nails hit into his head.

Sant Medir's Miracle Cure

Fast forward a few centuries and the story had passed into legend. Consequently both Severus and Emeterius had become saints.

In 1828, a Baker from Gràcia, who was gravely ill and coincidently a devotee to Saint Medir, (yes him of the fava beans) made a last ditch pact with his saint. If he was cured he would make a pilgrimage to the hermitage dedicated to the saint in the hills behind the city. Every year on the 3^rd of March, the saint’s official day.

Out In The Streets

Well two years later and the baker was totally cured. And so, on March 3^rd 1830 he mounted his horse and rode around Gràcia. He handed out sweets telling everyone he was going to keep his promise. At one o’clock he set off into the hills, to pay homage to Sant Medir.

Now the baker has long since departed this earth but his yearly ritual struck a chord with the locals. So that is why at the beginning of March, for one day only, the streets of Gràcia will be awash with children, sweets and horse poo!