Enjoy the Els Tres Tombs festivities with BusPlana

Strolling through the streets of a town on the Costa Dorada and hearing the galloping of horses and the sound of wooden wheels in the background will make you realise that you have entered a scene where history and the present coexist naturally. Els Tres Tombs is not just a festival, it is a collection of memories shared by towns and cities that, generation after generation, honour animals, farm work and rural life, which continues to thrive to this day. Here, where tradition and community intertwine, every step taken and every turn made tells a story.

With the arrival of the Els Tres Tombs celebration, the usual rhythm of the city takes a different turn. The streets are prepared to welcome historic carriages, animals and associations that work throughout the year to keep this tradition alive. More than just a parade, Els Tres Tombs is a cultural expression that connects generations, recovers the memory of these places and turns the urban space into a meeting point. Families, neighbours and visitors gather to watch, participate and understand why this festival continues to play an important role in culture, demonstrating that cultural events on the Costa Dorada that are experienced with authenticity do not lose their strength, but rather are reinforced over time.

You can attend this traditional event from locations such as Salou, Reus, Vila-seca and Tarragona by checking the BusPlana transfer timetables on our website. Furthermore, as we are the official airport transport provider, if you want to enjoy this event, you can purchase official tickets online for your transfer from Barcelona Airport to the Costa Dorada.

Centuries-old roots: from Saint Anthony the Abbot to the festival of Els Tres Tombs

The origin of Els Tres Tombs lies in the festival of Saint Anthony the Abbot, patron saint of domestic and working animals, who has been honoured in many towns on the Costa Dorada for centuries. This celebration, which dates back to the 15th century, had a profound and symbolic meaning. Each of the three ‘tombs’ or three laps with the animals around the town represented a request. Protection for the animals, a good harvest and health for the people, before the blessing of the saint. 

Although the calendar for this festival has continued to evolve and the dates may vary depending on the location, the purpose remains the same: to bring the community together around carriages, horses and other draft animals, keeping the spirit alive and celebrating the bond between people, the countryside and rural life.

An experience in the streets to the rhythm of animals and tradition

Accompanying the procession through the streets during Els Tres Tombs means letting yourself be carried away by a festive atmosphere steeped in history, community and memory. Beyond watching antique carriages or horses go by, it is about understanding that these traditions are part of the identity of local municipalities and that, with each passing year, their ties to the past and present are strengthened. The protagonists of the festival, the ‘traginers’, proudly wear traditional clothing and accompany the carriages as they make three symbolic journeys around the main squares and streets.

Each occasion is unique, and in some places, the festival kicks off with a communal lunch, also known as a ‘desayuno de arriero’ (mule driver's breakfast), where families and visitors share a table. In others, the blessing of the animals in the central square is the highlight, bringing together neighbours, friends and pets brought especially to be blessed.

Modern tradition on the Costa Dorada

Although it is a traditional festival with rural origins, Els Tres Tombs on the Costa Dorada has adapted to modern times without losing its essence. In cities such as Tarragona and Reus, located in the province of Tarragona, the parades and processions are incorporated into the rhythm of urban life, inviting a whole new generation to connect with this tradition.

Furthermore, in many villages, community participation is so strong that the programmes include complementary activities, such as a local market, exhibitions or competitions featuring traditional horse-drawn carriages and carts. It is a popular celebration that remains alive and aims to convey to those who visit these events a sense of belonging to history, animals and heritage.

Much more than three laps

In some towns, the festival has been adapted to different dates to encourage participation, such as Tarragona, where it is celebrated on 15 March and remains one of the most eagerly awaited events in Catalan culture. Els Tres Tombs is not limited to the passing of the carriages and the traditional three laps around the town centre. On the Costa Dorada, the celebration becomes a real popular festival that lasts all day and invites people of all ages to participate.

With events such as the ‘correfocs’, which bring rhythm and excitement to the programme, others such as the traditional San Antonio cake that is shared in squares and other spaces, reinforcing that sense of community, and other activities designed for children, such as children's workshops or family entertainment, where discovering the meaning of the festival and the role of animals in tradition is done in a dynamic and fun way. In this way, Els Tres Tombs is experienced as an event for everyone, where culture is transmitted in a natural, festive and accessible way, ensuring that the tradition continues firmly into the future.

Discover Els Tres Tombs with BusPlana

Learn about the Els Tres Tombs festival in different towns along the Costa Dorada, its traditions and cultural significance. The ease of travelling between these places with BusPlana will help you discover new and incredible places. You can check our transport timetables on our website. Remember that we are also the official airport transport provider, so you can purchase official tickets online for your transfer from Barcelona Airport to the Costa Dorada.