Did you know that La Mercè has a bread? Yes, as you hear it. The Baula is a braided bun that symbolizes the history of the patron saint of Barcelona.
La Mare de Déu de la Mercè was imprisoned, tortured and later killed by Roman troops when they entered the city. The Baula, in this sense, wants to represent with its shape the chains she was forced to wear.
The other meaning it has is more liberating. When you eat it, you break the chains, making a tribute to the Catalan prisoners who were at that time on the African coasts.
With all this, La Baula aspires to become a symbol of the city, as the baguette is for Paris. The bread is made artisanally with natural ingredients from the Mediterranean, such as sesame, olives and rosemary.
Now, coinciding with the city’s festivities, La Baula will be present at Plaça dels Àngels on Monday 24 from 11am to 8pm and all those who call themselves Mercè will be able to try it completely free of charge.
In addition, during La Mercè 2024, from September 20 to 24, all those who want to try it will be able to do so in several restaurants and hotels in the city such as Bar Bocata, El Provisional, Restaurant La Poma and Royal Hotels. This initiative aims to highlight the importance of gastronomy in Barcelona’s culture.