Lleida Aplec del Caragol
The Aplec del Caragol ('Snail Gathering') is celebrated at the end of May. Declared a Traditional Festival of National Interest, it attracts more people than any other city festival and is one of the most important celebrations combining leisure and cookery in Catalunya.
For three days Camps Elisis welcome about
10,000 inhabitants of Lleida grouped in about a hundred "penyes"
who, in their respective pieces of ground, focus their gathering
on eating 12 tones of snails altogether. Some original competitions
like the snail races or more traditional ones like the tug of
war rope and the constant presence of brass bands give a cheerful
ambience which spreads through the whole city; thousands of curious
visitors from the most different places come to the gathering.
The "penyes" parade, on the last day, is really colourful.
During the previous week, the "penyes" organise several
cultural events.
Lleida guide