Uncertainty surrounds la Tarasca’s historic presence in the city, as well as the figure itself of the beast. With the body of a turtle, the head of a humanized cat and a changeable temperament, it may bite and spray fire and water or just give sweets to children. La Tarasca has been documented in Barcelona since the late 16th century. The current figure dates from 1993, features its own music and dance and can be seen throwing out sweets or, in correfocs (fire runs in which demons dance through the streets brandishing pitchforks that sprout fireworks) breathing fire from its mouth.
Uncertainty surrounds la Tarasca’s historic presence in the city, as well as the figure itself of the beast. With the body of a turtle, the head of a humanized cat and a changeable temperament, it may bite and spray fire and water or just give sweets to children. La Tarasca has been documented in Barcelona since the late 16th century. The current figure dates from 1993, features its own music and dance and can be seen throwing out sweets or, in correfocs (fire runs in which demons dance through the streets brandishing pitchforks that sprout fireworks) breathing fire from its mouth.
Rutes de Barcelona 