Lleida information
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.
Visitors can go to a restaurant area in the festival grounds that
offers various menus, as well as the opportunity to try snails
cooked in different ways at low prices.