La Mercè and the tricentennial

Barcelona's getting ready to celebrate the wedding of Archduke Charles and Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfensbüttel, and you're invited to the party. In the Ciutadella park, Barcelona before the siege is being re-created. Charles will tell you about the acts of 1714, and strolling through the park you'll come across a period procession, a tavern where you can buy chocolates, and well-diggers, all who invite you to take a trip through time.

Near the Parliament building, one of the few from the old Citadel that are still standing, you'll find the camp of some special characters, dressed in blue coats with weapons at the ready, the Catalan militia known as the Miquelets. Outside the walls is another settlement, that of the Borbons, who played an active role during the 1714 siege of Barcelona and who relive the battle of Almansa every year.