Missa del Gall and Cant de la Sibil·la

The Missa del Gall is held at midnight on 24th December and precedes Christmas Day. According to tradition – the word gall is the Catalan for 'cockerel' – the name comes from the unusual time of the service, just before the cock crows. A very moving celebration that commemorates the birth of Jesus. The mass has become one of the most beautiful and emotive religious events.

The Cant de la Sibil·la provides a dazzling overture to the mass. The piece is medieval in origin and set to Gregorian music. It tells the story of a sybil, or prophetess, who announces the coming of the Messiah and the end of the world. The song wasn't performed for many years due to its pagan origins but was revived in the 19th century. You can hear the Cant del la Sibil·la at Barcelona Cathedral, and other well-known churches. It is included on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.