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Human Towers of 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.