Tarragona's Festive Heritage at Risk Due to Building Decay

Local organizations denounce the deplorable state of the Casa de la Festa, citing leaks, mold, and structural neglect.

Generic image of a damp storage room with deteriorating traditional festive figures.
IA

Generic image of a damp storage room with deteriorating traditional festive figures.

The traditional groups of the Seguici Popular de Tarragona raised the alarm this February regarding the deteriorating state of the Casa de la Festa, where historic figures are being damaged by humidity and leaks.

The facility, located on Via Augusta, has suffered from structural issues since its opening in 2008. Of particular concern are the Nanos Vells, historic figures created by Bernat Verderol in 1865. The constant presence of mold and water filtration is severely affecting the papier-mâché and clothing of these 19th-century artifacts.

"The Casa de la Festa is a general disaster. There are damp patches, leaks, mold, and the tiles are falling off."

Martí Caparrós · Head of the Drac de Sant Roc group
While the Tarragona City Council claims to be working on a comprehensive renovation project, the 2026 budget only allocates 49,000 euros for the site. Local festive groups argue this is insufficient to address the deep-rooted problems of a building they describe as being in ruins.