Stew Square, also known as Oliva Square (Lluís Companys Square), takes its name from the Stew Festival held in Vidreres on Shrove Tuesday.

The Stew involves cooking a communal escudella — a traditional Catalan stew — which has become part of Vidreres’ intangible cultural heritage and is regarded as one of Catalonia’s most notable gastronomic celebrations. The whole village takes part: butchers, farmers, neighbours and shopkeepers contribute ingredients such as white botifarra, black botifarra, vegetables, chickpeas and potatoes. The cooks prepare around thirty pots of 100 litres each to meet the huge demand for stew on Shrove Tuesday.

On the eve of the festival, tradition dictates that the organising committee, the cooks, the pubilles and hereus (the young women and men who represent the town at festivals) and a street parade make their way through the town centre and the surrounding farmhouses to collect the ingredients — or cash donations — to be cooked the following day in the open air, in large copper cauldrons over wood fires, for anyone who turns up.

On the day itself, the cooks, dressed in their finest, light the fires at first light to bring the stew to the boil. The strength, energy and passion of everyone involved mean that by midday a generous plateful of this traditional local dish is served to all. The enthusiasm, pride and effort of the whole community make this the most special day of the year in Vidreres.