In the square where the basilica is located you will notice a large building. It is the former convent of La Merced. In the XIX Century it happened to be a school and now it works like the general captaincy.

One of the outer elements that attracts the attention and the image of our lady of the Favor. Due to the consequences of the Spanish civil war the image of the virgin was destroyed and was replaced years later by the one that we can observe at the present time.

Legend has it that in 1637 this virgin freed the city from a plague of locusts and in gratitude the Council of the City appointed Patron of Barcelona. In 1696 Pope Innocent XII extended its cult to the whole church and in 1888, during the Universal Exhibition it was crowned canonically.

Every September 24 the city honors the Virgin, for several days the "Merced party" take to the streets: parades, shows, concerts and tradition.