Planning to spend a weekend away on the Costa Brava? We have the perfect idea for you. As, on the 25-25 of February, there is a wonderful little honey festival in the authentic town of Crespia. This can be just what you need, a little weekend getaway from the busy city life..
If you decide to spend a whole weekend exploring the wonderful coast of the Costa Brava, then we would recommend our vacation rentals in Empuriabrava and Roses for a perfect stay.
The Honey Festival of Crespia – History
Somewhere midway between Figueres and Banyoles, surrounded by forests, and olive groves, lies the tiny village of Crespia. It’s inhabitants, about 230 people, live in enviable silence, peace and harmony with nature.
There must be some attractions near the village, right?
Yes, there are. The official list is not long:
There are three mineral springs in the vicinity of Crespius. There are two churches in the village itself: Sant Just i Pastor and one in honour of Santa Eulalia. There are also two chapels and the river Fluvia. That's it, there's nothing else. Except for one more - a street named after Genoa (de Genova). "What has Genoa got to do with it?" - one wonders. This is where the story begins.
The village is situated on a plain and at the same time in the immediate vicinity of the Pyrenees foothills. These places are famous for their extraordinary variety of vegetation. The first document dating back to the ninth century mentions the "town of Crespia" as a place where honey is produced.
During the 18th century Catalonia experienced a boom in economic growth. It affected all, the most remote corners, including Crespia. The honey harvested by bees in the surrounding countryside began to be in demand for its therapeutic and medicinal properties and was produced in such quantities that the villagers began to look for buyers outside the country. From the port of Rosas, the honey began to be exported. Where to? Genoa, of course!
Meanwhile, at home, in the village itself on the feast of Sant Maties, which was celebrated in Catalonia on 24 February, a honey fair was organised. The honey from Crespia was considered the best in all the Iberian Peninsula, as it was harvested "from a thousand herbs" (mil flors).
The honey fair was not lost to the ages. Sometimes it disappeared for a few years due to unfavourable weather conditions for the bees, but it was always revived.
When is the festival?
The next one will take place on February 25-26, 2023. The fair usually attracts around 3000 visitors!
At midday you'll be treated to a fun fair opening, dancing, music, and art exhibitions. Later, a surprisingly informative lecture about the life of bees and the honey itself. In the evening, a massive, unusual "Honey Dinner" with music. On Sunday, the fair goes on all day. There's dancing, workshops for children and adults, photo competitions, conferences, and the Sardana dances!
We hope that you enjoyed our blog about the honey festival of Crespia! If you are planning to give this festival a visit, then we would recommend to check our Instagram, as there we share other festivals as well as other information that might be useful for your next visit to the Costa Brava!
