Home dels Nassos de la Vila de Gràcia

Fact sheet

Gràcia's "Home dels Nassos" is a capgròs, a big-headed figure that bears a striking resemblance to Francesc Derch i Alió, the last mayor of Gràcia when it was still an independent town and who led the revolt against conscription in 1870 known as the Revolta de les Quintes. It is linked to a very specific date: the last day of the year.

The "Nose Man" is an imaginary character who appears on 31st December to trick the kids, because it is said he has as many noses as there are days that that year has. Children expect to see someone with 365 noses as they don't realise that, in fact, there is only one day left before the year ends. This means he could be anybody.

The Home dels Nassos legend is told around the country, and in some places, like Gràcia, they have decided to keep it alive it in the shape of a capgròs. This imaginary character is usually portrayed with a big nose but, in this case, it is not the nose that grabs your attention. Instead it plays with the expression itself to show that Francesc Derch i Alió was a brave and daring man, in other words, de nassos.

Gràcia's Home dels Nassos is a very recent creation by the artist Àngels Jutglar, who was able to make the capgròs thanks to the contributions of local residents It made its first appearance in 2011 and, since then, has appeared early in the morning on 31st December each year to lead a cercavila round the streets, squares and markets of the neighbourhood.