Odd Catalonian Facts - Burial or Cremation of the Sardine.

The ceremony of the Burial of the Sardine ( l'Enterrament de la Sardina ) takes place throughout the Costa Brava and inland Catalonia on Ash Wednesday each year. This day, the culmination of Carnival time, marks the end of excess and the 40 days of Lent.

The ceremony is preceded by a funeral procession through the town, usually headed by a brass band and an effigy of a huge sardine. Upon reach the place of interment ( the Town Square or the Beach in the Case of a coastal resort), a local dignitary has the duty of making a satirical address ( Testament de la Sardina ) to the audience. After this pomp and ceremony comes the Burial or Cremation of the Sardine.

In inland towns, the effigy is set afire. At coastal resorts a sardine is usually buried in the sand.

The origin of this ceremony is believed to date back to the reign of King Carlos III in the 18th century, who generously donated a sip-load of sardines to his loyal servants as a special treat before the start of Lent. Unfortunately for his subjects, the King's plans went awry when the sardines were found to have gone off.

The people were left with the dilemma of disposing of a pile of rotting and pungent fish. Their solution was to burn them or bury them in a local field or on the beach.

Whether this origin is true or not, this magical and memorable event is one of the most fascinating occasions taking place during the Spring Carnival. If you are planning an early visit to costa Brava or Catalonia, try to include Ash Wednesday - 40 days before Easter.