What happens at Los Castellers?

Performances. Traditionally, the castellers perform their tower building during the main parts of larger festivals. Usually, three colles come together and build their human edifices. If you have the chance to watch the building of a castell, do so as it really is a very special event.

Why is Castellers important?

The practice was first documented in 1801 as a cultural activity and became a competition in the 1980s. Declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2010, castells are recognized as having a “rich cultural diversity” and significance within Catalonia.

Why do they celebrate Los Castellers?

Els Castells, the human towers, represent solidarity and team spirit among Catalan people. On these depend the success of the tower and even the life of the aixecadors, the young children that climb up to airy heights of more than eight meters to complete the tower.

Where are los Castillos humanos an important tradition?

The Catalan tradition of building human towers or castells (the Catalan word for ‘castle’) originated in Valls, near the city of Tarragona in Catalonia, an autonomous community of Spain with its own distinct language and culture.

When can you see the castells?

The main “castells” season is from April to October but you can find them all year round depending on festival dates.…

What is the tallest human tower?

The tallest human pyramid consisted of 9 levels and was 12 m (39 ft) high. It was completed when Josep-Joan Martínez Lozano of the Colla Vella dels Xiquets mounted it at Valls, Spain on 25 October 1981.

When was the first performance of the castellers?

Historians claim the first castells appeared in the southern Catalan town of Valls in 1902. Throughout the 19th century, castells “were more of a circus act,” historian Pablo Giori explains, formed by immigrants from southern regions such as Andalucia, who came to the wealthier north looking for work.

What is Castellers in Spain?

Every year in Spain, a Catalan tradition of building Castells—human towers reaching up to 10 stories—takes place. Teams called colles compete to build the tallest and most complex tower made only of human beings standing atop one another.

What is the largest human pyramid?

What is the highest Castell?

A castell is considered successful when it is loaded and unloaded without falling apart. The highest castell in history was a 10-floor structure with three people in each floor. Members of Vella de Xiquets de Valls try to complete their human tower during the Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain.

What is castells de Tarragona?

Tarragona celebrates the tradition of the ‘castells’ in spectacular fashion. This popular event involves people creating human towers up to a height of between six and ten tiers. The ‘castells’ (human castles) have been awarded the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity designation.

How many people are in a human pyramid?

People above the bottom tier may kneel or stand on the shoulders, backs or thighs of the people below them. Typically, the number of people in each tier is one greater than the tier immediately above it, resulting in a triangular structure reminiscent of the formation’s namesake.

What is the history of the Castell?

People in Catalonia started to build castells in the early 18 century. They took inspiration from traditional Valencian dances, the Balls de Valencias, which used to end with a small human pyramid.

What do the human towers of castells represent?

When does the Castell season start?

Traditionally, this tower-building spectacle takes place as part of larger festivals, but nowadays there are numerous performances throughout the castell season, which runs from June to November.

What is the experience of watching a castellere formation like?

The experience of watching a team of castelleres forming a tower is quite breath-taking. During cultural festivals, a big group of people, dressed in light, mostly white trousers and shirts, gather on a square that is full of spectators.