
Important celebrations like this are usually taking place mainly in the Gothic Quarter of Barcleona , so the city centre or downtown.
The City Council Palace and the Generalitat of Catalonia or Governtment Palace, located both in the Plaça Sant Jaume , are the main stage of the day.
The National Day of Catalonia commemorates the resistance of Catalonia during Succession War , specially Barcelona's city, which remained under siege for over a year by the Bourbon troops.
After thirteen months of siege , the city of Barcelona surrendered to the troops of Philip V the Bourbon king, the September 11th of 1714 .
The amazing resistance of the city impressed Europe, and the courage Catalan troups showed in front of a force ten times stronger than them, so this is the fact actually commemorated: the bravery of the local army.
During that day Castells ( human towers ) rise up all over the city, Sardana, the National dance is danced in the main squares, and many public events are held in major cities in Catalonia , and of course, also many political acts .
Most of the balconies of the houses are decorated with hanging flags of Catalonia, waving the four red stripes on a yellow background that characterize it.
Fossar de les Moreres

This was the place where many of those who resisted the invasion lost their lives , and where then were buried in this common cemmetery with no honor at all, considered betrayers.
Today , a monument topped with a permanent light on top of it remember them all for ever more.