Human Towers of Spain

– Posted in: Spain

Spain is unique in so many ways but the cultural aspect that makes this country stand out from the rest is their human towers. The popular sport is found in northeast Spain in the region of Catalunya. You can’t visit Catalunya without taking in this impressive tradition.

Castells, or human towers date back to the 18th century in the small town of Valls, about 40 kilometres south of Barcelona, when the Spanish would dance on each other’s shoulders. The phenomenon grew into a competition of castellers trying to out-build themselves with higher and higher towers. It popularized after 1981, when the first 9-storey tower was built and today the tradition is an UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

One of the most important components of a casteller’s attire is the black faixa, or sash, wrapped tightly around their lower back and which the climbers use for support. Along with the faixa, castellers usually wear white trousers with different coloured-shirts that symbolize the part of the Catalunya region they are from. In Barcelona, they are red.

Castellers de Barcelona preparing. Photo: Flickr Creative Commons

Men link their arms to create a solid base or pinya and the crowd surrounds them to help form a human safety net. When the base is strong enough the band plays the traditional Toc de Castells and spectators come to complete silence to help castellers keep their focus. Barefoot, the castellers first use the faixa as the stepping stone to reach the top, and then the shoulders.

Castellers climbing barefoot. Photo: Flickr Creative Commons

The tower builds on top of the pinya, usually up to 4 or 5 storeys high. At this point, I decide human towers are my favourite tradition in Spain. It’s a thrilling experience but the vibe is intense and nerve-wrecking – it starts to sway (hence, my crooked pictures) and we wonder if it’s going to come tumbling down like a house of cards!

A casteller starts to make her way up

A casteller sliding down the side to dissemble

The most exciting part is watching the anxenta, a small child about 8 years old who winds up at the top to salute the crowd, wave the Catalan flag or raise one hand. Some say this signal represents the stripes of the Catalan flag.

The anxenta salutes the crowd at the top

Single human towers and the anxentas waving the local white flag and the yellow Catalan flag

Where and when to experience: The castell season is typically June to November, which is perfect timing because you can get cheap tickets to Spain in the latter part of the season. Traditionally, the castellers perform their tower building during the main parts of larger festivals but sometimes you can find them randomly practising in the squares of Catalan cities.

Cristina

A Canadian journalist turned blogger, Cristina is a 20-something food addict and traveller who traded in the conventional 9-5 to live life by her own terms. Her passion for Europe has taken her to more than 25 countries and 45 different cities. Her next chapter in travel is volunteering her way around the world. When she’s not eating, travelling or writing, she works as a Social Media and PR freelancer in Toronto.