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
Another mythical place this day is the common cemetery known with the name of Fosar de Les Moreres , located right opposite the Gothic church of Santa Maria del Mar, in the district of La Ribera.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.