Where and when can I see people building a Castell near Barcelona?

1. Where can you see Castells?
2. When can you see castellers in Barcelona?
3. Where are Castells built?
4. Where can you find human Towers?
5. What are the five levels of the Castells?
6. What is the highest human tower?
7. Where can I see human Towers in Barcelona?
8. What does the last person to climb the human tower need to do once he she reached the top?
9. What is Els Castells celebrating?
10. What is La pinya?
11. What are Castells?
12. How tall is the world's tallest human pyramid?
13. What is the history of Castells?

Where can you see Castells?

Since the 1980s the phenomenon has become increasingly popular and widespread, and colles (or 'clubs') have now been established throughout Catalonia and even in the Balearic Islands. In 2010, the castells were classified by UNESCO as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

When can you see castellers in Barcelona?

Traditionally, the castellers perform their tower building during the main parts of larger festivals. Usually, three colles come together and build their human edifices. Nowadays, the towers are also often built outside of the festivals – the actual season goes from June to November.

Where are Castells built?

A castell (Catalan pronunciation: [kəsˈteʎ]) is a human tower built traditionally at festivals in Catalonia, the Balearic islands and the Valencian Community. At these festivals, several colles castelleres (teams that build towers) attempt to build and dismantle a tower's structure.

Where can you find human Towers?

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 are the five levels of the Castells?

Large castells contain five main levels. The base is called the pinya, followed by the folre, the manilles, the tronk, and the pom de dalt. The tronk is the vertical structure in the center of the castell that holds the most weight.

What is the highest human tower?

The tradition of human tower or Castells in Catalan language comes from Catalonia. Each autumn the teams of Castellers are competing to build the highest tower in the region. The tradition goes back to 18th century and the record of the highest human tower is 9 levels.

Where can I see human Towers in Barcelona?

The festival lasts from the 19th of April until the 6th of May and kicked off with a display of human towers called castells in front of the Sagrada Familia Basilica. Castells are built by teams called colles who perform at festivals and competitions throughout the year.

What does the last person to climb the human tower need to do once he she reached the top?

The top of the castell is called the pom de dalt, or “tower dome,” with the tower's child “crown” called the enxaneta, or rider. Once he or she reaches the top of the tower (with a helmet — don't worry), the child will raise four fingers to represent the Catalan flag, and then climb down.

What is Els Castells celebrating?

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.

What is La pinya?

"La Pinya is a school held in a squatted house on the outskirts of Barcelona. ... with kids ranging from ages 3 to 9, it is self-organized by the parents who meet together with the educators to decide on the course the school will take and to resolve the problems and conflicts that arise.

What are Castells?

“Castells” (human towers)

An Impressive Catalan display of a tower made up of humans. There are different types depending on the number of people on each floor. It is considered built when a young child climbs to the top and raises their hand.

How tall is the world's tallest human pyramid?

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.

What is the history of Castells?

Castells were first documented as a cultural form in 1801. They appeared in Tarragona, a rural and religious province of Catalonia. With nineteenth century industrialization, they became a traditional practice, central to popular nationalist celebrations.