Catalan teams compete to build towering human formations in Tarragona
Thousands gathered at Tarragona’s Tarraco Arena for Catalonia’s Castells competition, where teams compete to build the highest and most complex human tower. The event showcases a longstanding regional tradition, with this year marking its 30th staging since it began in 1932.
Held every two years, the contest brings together teams of up to 500 men, women and children. Some towers reached eight storeys during the weekend; castells can rise to ten levels and have exceeded 40 feet in recent years. Marrecs de Salt won Saturday’s competition, while a pink-clad team’s tower collapsed on Sunday.
- Thousands watched Catalan teams build human towers.
- Marrecs de Salt won Saturday’s contest.
- Towers can reach ten levels and over 40 feet.
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Castells are a traditional Catalan cultural practice where teams of men, women and children build towering human formations by standing on each other's shoulders. The competitive tradition dates back to 1932 and is held every two years, making it one of the region's most distinctive customs.
The championships bring together teams from across Catalonia who compete to construct the highest and most complex structures possible. Towers regularly reach eight or more storeys during competitions, occasionally exceeding ten levels and surpassing 40 feet in height as teams carefully coordinate their efforts.
Each team can consist of up to 500 members, making castells a true community endeavour that showcases Catalan regional identity. The event attracts thousands of spectators and remains deeply significant to local culture.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “A competition with high stakes! Thousands come together for traditional Spanish Castells event that sees crowds battle to build the highest human tower”.