The Giants of Mataró have been documented since the late 17th century and form part of the city's official festive procession. They play a leading role in Les Santes, Mataró's Festa Major.

The Robafaves Family is the group of Mataró's official giants and consists of Robafaves, the Geganta, Toneta and Maneló. They are accompanied by the 18 Nans and other figures from the festive procession, including the Àliga, Drac, Dragalió, Momerota and Momeroteta. The Diablesses complete the group of official fire-related comparses.

The Robafaves Family

The Robafaves Family consists of four giants: Robafaves, the Geganta, Toneta and Maneló. They dance to the sound of the flabiol and tamborí, traditional instruments of Catalan popular culture.

They appear on special occasions throughout the year, but it is during Les Santes that they are most often seen in the streets of Mataró. They take part in parades, dances and official events during the Festa Major.

The Robafaves Family and the Nans are one of three elements of Les Santes recognised by the Government of Catalonia as festive heritage in 2010, together with the Missa de les Santes and the Dormida.

The origin of the name Robafaves

According to local legend, the town of Argentona once invited the Giants of Mataró to perform. On their way back to Mataró, the giant carriers spotted some large, beautiful broad beans growing in a field beside the road and picked as many as they could.

As they did not have enough room in their pockets, they hid the beans beneath the giant's cape. When they reached Mataró, the children asked them to dance. As the giant spun around, the beans began falling to the ground and the crowd shouted: «Ha robat faves! Ha robat faves!» — “He has stolen broad beans!”

This is the popular legend behind the name Robafaves. The name first appears in official records in 1888.

The 18 Nans of Mataró

The Nans of Mataró have accompanied the Robafaves Family since 1864, when they first appeared in the official Festa Major programme. Today there are 18 of them and they are carried by children. During the parades, they walk ahead of the Giants and are especially popular with younger children, running and dancing around them.

The 18 Nans of Mataró are: the Bufó, Pagès, Bruixa, Macer seriós, Macer rialler, Follet, Arlequí, Xinès, Mulata, Comte, Moro, Carrau, Vella Blava, Vella Verda, Patufet, Jonàs, Mataties and Biada.

The bestiary and official festive procession of Mataró

Mataró's official festive procession is made up of different figures, groups and elements of the city's popular culture.

The order of the procession is always the same: the Diablesses, Momeroteta, Momerota, Dragalió, Drac, Nans, Robafaves Family and Àliga.

The Nans walk ahead of the Robafaves Family, consisting of Robafaves, the Geganta, Toneta and Maneló, while the Àliga closes the procession.

• The Àliga: The most solemn figure in the procession, taking part in its most official events. During the Crida, it emerges from inside Mataró City Hall.
• The Drac: Inspired by the dragon on Robafaves' helmet. It was presented on 20 April 1991 and is one of the fire figures of Les Santes.
• The Dragalió: The child of the Drac de Mataró and the Víbria del Poblenou. It mainly takes part in children's events during Les Santes, together with the Momeroteta.
• The Momerota and Momeroteta: Mother and daughter. The Momerota is part of Mataró's fire bestiary and is closely linked to the Escapada a Negra Nit. The Momeroteta mainly takes part in children's events.

The Diablesses de Mataró

The Diablesses de Mataró are an all-female fire group created in 1985. They are not a bestiary figure, but a group of performers who take part in several fire events during Les Santes.

They are the hosts of the Escapada a Negra Nit, the major correfoc of Mataró's Festa Major.

History of the Giants of Mataró

The Giants of Mataró are historic giants documented since the late 17th century, when they belonged to the Confraria de la Minerva.

In 1848, the first railway line on the Iberian Peninsula, between Barcelona and Mataró, was inaugurated, and Manuel Blanch's Missa de Glòria was premiered. Five years later, the figures were restored and Toneta joined the group.

In 1930, the Giants largely adopted the appearance we know today: Robafaves was given the appearance of King James I of Aragon, while the Geganta and Toneta were dressed to match this style.

In 1950, Toneta married Maneló, son of the Giants of Terrassa, bringing the smaller male giant back into the Robafaves Family.

With the return of democracy, from 1979 onwards, a group of young people from the Foment Mataroní promoted the renewal of the Festa Major under the slogan «Les Santes, fem-ne Festa Major». The Giants and the city's official festive groups became central to this new stage of Les Santes.

When do the Giants of Mataró come out?

The Giants of Mataró mainly come out for Sant Jordi, on 23 April, and during Les Santes, from 25 to 29 July.

During Les Santes, the Robafaves Family takes part in many of the main events of the official procession, including the Crida, Desvetllament Bellugós, Convidada, Anada a Ofici, Desfilada, Passada, Anada a la Residència, Postal de Gegants, No n’hi ha prou and Anem a Tancar.

Frequently asked questions about the Giants of Mataró

Who are the members of the Robafaves Family?
The Robafaves Family consists of four giants: Robafaves, the Geganta, Toneta and Maneló.

How many giants are there in the Robafaves Family?
The Robafaves Family consists of four giants.

Why is he called Robafaves?
According to the legend, the giant received this nickname after his carriers hid broad beans picked from a field near Argentona beneath his cape. During a dance, the beans fell to the ground. The name Robafaves was first documented in 1888.

How many Nans are there in Mataró?
There are currently 18 Nans. They have accompanied the Robafaves Family since 1864 and are carried by children.

How long have the Giants of Mataró been documented?
The Giants of Mataró have been documented since the late 17th century.

What is the order of Mataró's official festive procession?
The order is: the Diablesses, Momeroteta, Momerota, Dragalió, Drac, Nans, Robafaves Family and Àliga.

When do the Giants of Mataró come out?
Mainly for Sant Jordi, on 23 April, and during Les Santes, from 25 to 29 July.

What is the most solemn figure in Mataró's festive procession?
The Àliga is the most solemn figure and takes part in the most official events of Les Santes.

Where can I buy products featuring the Giants of Mataró?
At Robafaves, at Carrer de Montserrat, 7 in Mataró, and in our online shop. You can find products featuring the Giants of Mataró and Les Santes all year round, including T-shirts, mugs, games, magnets, books, bookmarks and temporary tattoos.