| Animals form part of many cultures and pagan rituals | | | | seen in a few select areas - for example the |
| involve many animals both fictional and non-fictional. | | | | magnificent Palau Güell in Barcelona's old town |
| Although Spain is a Catholic country, Barcelona in | | | | (also another UNESCO World Heritage Site, designed |
| particular is not a particularly religious Christian | | | | by Gaudi), the rooftop has a collection of chimneys |
| community, and has a proud heritage. Many of the | | | | which usually grab the most attention, but the |
| city's festivals and traditional processions involve | | | | weather vane atop the building is that of a bat. And |
| animals - or rather models of giant animals, such as | | | | of course one of the most famous bats is that of |
| dragons, Eagles, horses, and unrecognisable beasts, | | | | the Rum Bacardi - whose founders were born in |
| too. | | | | nearby Sitges, and moved to Cuba in the 1830s. |
| Of course, perhaps the most famous beast in | | | | A selection of these Barcelona animals can be seen in |
| Catalonia's history is the dragon. Saint George is the | | | | the Institute of Culture Building on Las Ramblas - |
| Patron saint of Catalonia, and is paid homage in many | | | | Barcelona's famous boulevard, dissecting the old |
| different ways throughout the city - not least the | | | | town. Inside, the models are on permanent display, |
| UNESCO world Heritage site of Antonin Gaudi's Casa | | | | and only taken out for special celebrations such as |
| Battlò, in downtown Passeig de Gracia Street. | | | | Corpus Christi, and the patron of Barcelona, Our Lady |
| This building has a curved tiled back, representing the | | | | of Mercy's celebration in late September, La |
| scales of the dragon's back. This image is repeated in | | | | Merçe. In here the Eagle model plays a |
| Gaudi's Park Güell, with the ornate entrance to | | | | predominant role, seated at the front of the display, |
| the park housing a magnificent dragon fountain which | | | | and as the official information explains; "The |
| is reproduced all over the city on postcards, shop | | | | Barcelona Eagle is mentioned in documents as far |
| fronts, and even bakers' windows. | | | | back as 1399 and was part of the municipal |
| Another medieval animal to figure predominantly in | | | | cortège, it was subject to strict protocol and |
| processions and Barcelona folklore is the bat. Yes, | | | | was indispensable at all solemn city celebrations and |
| the nocturnal winged creatures have a long history in | | | | on the aldermen's journeys. |
| Barcelona traditions as a sign of strength. This can be | | | | |