Public Debut on Passeig de Gràcia

This Sunday, 13 September 2026, at 19:00, King Gaudí, Queen Pedrera, the warriors Badalot and Forjat, and the dwarfs Trenca and Dis made their first public appearance with a completely renewed look in front of La Pedrera, also known as Casa Milà, on Passeig de Gràcia. The event, organised by the Coordinadora de Colles Geganteres de Barcelona, marked the official unveiling of the figures following a major restoration to coincide with Gaudí Year. The six characters, originally created in 1998 by master giant-maker Toni Mujal i Obradors, draw their designs from the rooftop sculptures, chimneys, and ventilation towers of Antoni Gaudí’s modernist building.

A Celebration of Heritage and Craft

The evening began with the sound of stonemasons, evoking the origins of Casa Milà’s construction. The Esbart de Sant Martí then performed traditional dances at the corner of Passeig de Gràcia, while a giant figure of Antoni Gaudí appeared on a balcony to lead a theatrical intervention about the relationship between the building and its symbolic guardians.

The restoration has allowed us to recover original elements and colours, reinforcing the bond between the giants and La Pedrera.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of the newly restored figures. Their costumes, jewellery, and accessories have been completely renewed, with designs influenced by the forms, volumes, textures, and decorative motifs of the building. The new garments were designed and made by Goretti Puente – Vestuari Escènic, under the creative direction of Marc Udina.

Restoration and Future Appearances

The restoration, carried out by the workshop of José María Sánchez in Calatayud, is the most comprehensive the figures have undergone in over 20 years. The original stone colour of the warrior figures Badalot and Forjat has been recovered, and new jewellery was crafted by Taller Lacedemon in Caravaca. From 14 September, the figures will be on display at the Barcelona Giants Exhibition, held at the Archive of the Crown of Aragon. They will return to public performance on 24 September, when they take part in the La Mercè parade – their first appearance with the city’s giant groups in two years. The Coordinadora de Colles Geganteres de Barcelona, which has resumed management of the figures after a seven-year gap, will be responsible for their future performances across the city’s festivals.

  • The Giants of La Pedrera were created in 1998 to coincide with the restoration of Casa Milà.
  • Their designs are inspired by the building’s surreal rooftop sculptures.
  • This is their first major restoration in over two decades.
  • They will be exhibited at the Archive of the Crown of Aragon from 14 September.
  • They next appear in the La Mercè parade on 24 September.

Primary sources: ajuntament.barcelona.cat, Barcelona City Council, barcelona.cat. Reported by beteve.cat, elperiodico.com, lapedrera.com, ca.wikipedia.org, Jan Salazar (Basílica del Pi de Barcelona), betevé.