Encamisada de Falset
La Encamisada is a celebration of the singular Saint Anthony of Falset, in Priorat. The people come out with traditional clothing, horses and decorated cars in two parades that combine legendary memory, rural culture, music and devotion.
Celebration date
It is celebrated on Saturday and Sunday closest to 17 January, festival of San Antonio Abad. On Saturday the announcement and the night parade are concentrated; Sunday brings together the blessing, the mass and a new procession through the town.
La Encamisada is a festive tradition, but its days are not automatically public holidays. Local holidays in Falset are determined in the official calendar each year.
Place and routes
Horses and carriages traditionally gather in front of the Celler Cooperatiu. From there they advance towards the church and walk through the usual streets of Falset. The Church square hosts the blessing of animals and the release of the blessed rolls after the service.
You can also explore festivals in Falset and the municipality's local festival calendar.
Legendary origin and documented history
The legend places its origin in a victory of the Falsetans over troops that surrounded the town. Taking advantage of the fog, the neighbors would have carried out a night attack dressed in white shirts to distinguish themselves and go unnoticed. A military action of this type was called encamisada.
The Generalitat differentiates the legendary narrative from the historical evidence: it documents the current elements of the festival of San Antonio since the 19th century and the written use of the name Encamisada since the beginning of the 20th century. The celebration was only interrupted during the Civil War and, since 1970, the name has encompassed the set of events.
How the party develops
- Ringing of bells and launching of rockets at noon on Saturday.
- Nighttime concentration of cavalry and decorated cars in front of the cooperative.
- Parade led by the dimonis and the music band, followed by carriages, the Saint's car, cavalry and the banner.
- Blessing of animals in the Church Square on Sunday morning.
- High mass, jack of Falset and distribution of the blessed San Antonio bread rolls.
- Second tour of horses and carriages through the town.
Vestimenta, carros y participación
Participants wear traditional Catalan clothing and prepare cars decorated with paper flowers and other ornaments. The festival was born linked to farmers who went out with their own animals; Today many families and groups of friends keep cars or rent animals to keep the tradition alive.
Participation continues to be mainly local, although local groups and large audiences also attend. The banner of San Antonio, the dimonis, the Vila de Falset Music Band and the family groups give shape to the procession.
Falset rolls and jack
After the high mass, the San Antonio bread rolls are blessed and sold. Tradition attributed them a protective function for sick animals, in addition to their family consumption. During the service, the Falset jota is performed, recovered as part of the local heritage.
Organisation and recognition
The Centre d'Estudis Falsetans has organised the festival since it took over from the Brotherhood of San Antonio in the 1960s. The Generalitat of Catalonia includes it in its catalog of festive heritage as Traditional Festival of National Interest.