Castell
Human towers built and dismantled at Catalan festivals.
Dguendel · CC BY 4.0
A castell is a human tower built at festivals, originally in southern Catalonia but now also across the rest of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. Teams called *colles castelleres* work together to raise and then take down these structures. UNESCO recognized castells as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on 16 November 2010.
The tradition grew out of the older *Muixeranga* of Algemesí in Valencia, but within Catalonia it began with the *Ball dels Valencians* in the town of Valls, near Tarragona, first recorded in 1712. Over the 1700s, it spread to other towns like Vilafranca del Penedès and Tarragona, but only in the last fifty years did it expand across the rest of Catalonia. Interest revived in the 1960s and 1970s. In the 1980s, women joined what had been an all-male activity, marking a second golden age; their participation made towers lighter and stronger, allowing for previously impossible nine- and ten-story structures. Meanwhile, the older, more religious *Muixeranga* continues in Algemesí and elsewhere in Valencia and Catalonia, where it is sometimes called *moixiganga*. In 2015, the Coordinadora de Colles Castelleres de Catalunya included 99 groups, among them Castellers de Vilafranca and Minyons de Terrassa, who built the tallest human tower ever: a "3 de 10" and a "4 de 10 amb folre i manilles". These towers were also featured in the opening ceremony of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
In Catalan, *castell* means "castle," but in English it specifically refers to a human tower. A castell is considered successful only if it is assembled and then dismantled in one continuous sequence. The assembly finishes when all castellers are in place and the *enxaneta*—the child who climbs to the top—raises one hand. The *enxaneta* then climbs down the other side, followed by the rest in order from highest to lowest. Besides those who climb, many people form the *pinya*, the base that supports the tower's weight. The *pinya* also acts as a safety net if the tower collapses, cushioning falls. When a small team attempts a particularly demanding structure, other *colles* may help form the *pinya*.
Building happens in two phases. First, the *pinya* is formed. People who will climb to higher levels position themselves nearby.
Quick Facts
- Medium
- Human towers
- Culture
- Catalan
- Era
- 18th century–present
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The tradition of castells within Catalonia originated in the Ball dels Valencians in the town of Valls, near Tarragona, first documented in 1712. Over the 18th century it spread to other towns, including Vilafranca del Penedès and Tarragona, but only in the last 50 years did it spread to the rest of Catalonia. Interest grew in the 1960s and 1970s, and in the 1980s the inclusion of women ushered in a second golden age, enabling construction of 9- and 10-story castells.
Reader's Guide
Castells are built by teams called colles castelleres. The structure is assembled in two phases: first the pinya (base) is formed, then the upper layers are built quickly. Success is achieved when assembly and disassembly are completed in succession, with the enxaneta climbing to the top and raising one hand before descending. The motto is 'Força, equilibri, valor i seny' (Strength, balance, courage and common sense). Accidents are rare; since 2006, helmets have been required for children. Castells were featured in the opening ceremony of the Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics.
Did You Know?
- The word castell literally translates to 'castle' in Catalan, but in English it specifically means a human tower.
- The tallest human towers to date are the '3 de 10' and the '4 de 10 amb folre i manilles'.
- The most recent recorded fatality from participating in castells was in 2006.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Castell?
A castell is a living human tower that a group of performers assembles and then carefully disassembles during public festivals. The tradition is rooted in southern Catalonia and has since spread to other parts of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.
Where and when did the Castell tradition begin?
The practice descends from the older Muixeranga of Algemesí in Valencia. Within Catalonia, the earliest documented instance dates to 1712 in the town of Valls, near Tarragona, where it was initially called the Ball dels Valencians.
What are colles castelleres?
Colles castelleres are the organized teams of castellers who work in unison to raise a human tower level by level and then bring it down safely. Every member holds a specific position, and the whole structure depends on collective balance and mutual trust.
How is a Castell actually built and taken down?
Performers form a broad base, then add successive levels of smaller members on top, often culminating in a child at the very peak. The tower is dismantled in reverse order, with each level stepping down carefully to the ground.
Why did UNESCO recognize Castell?
UNESCO designated castells as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on 16 November 2010, acknowledging the tradition as a living cultural expression sustained through community participation rather than written texts.
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