A ''castell'' () is a
human tower built traditionally at festivals in
Catalonia
Catalonia (; ca, Catalunya ; Aranese Occitan: ''Catalonha'' ; es, Cataluña ) is an autonomous community of Spain, designated as a ''nationality'' by its Statute of Autonomy.
Most of the territory (except the Val d'Aran) lies on the north ...
, the
Balearic islands
The Balearic Islands ( es, Islas Baleares ; or ca, Illes Balears ) are an archipelago in the Balearic Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. The archipelago is an autonomous community and a province of Spain; its capital is ...
and the
Valencian Community
The Valencian Community ( ca-valencia, Comunitat Valenciana, es, Comunidad Valenciana) is an autonomous community of Spain. It is the fourth most populous Spanish autonomous community after Andalusia, Catalonia and the Community of Madrid with ...
.
At these festivals, several ''colles castelleres'' (teams that build towers) attempt to build and dismantle a tower's structure. On 16 November 2010, ''castells'' were declared by
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
to be amongst the
Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
The Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity was made by the Director-General of UNESCO starting in 2001 to raise awareness of intangible cultural heritage and encourage local communities to protect them and t ...
.
Origin
Although based on the earlier traditional
Muixeranga
The ''Muixeranga'' () is the collective name given to the performance of ancient street dances and human pyramids or ''castells'', originating in the ancient Kingdom of Valencia (currently the Land of Valencia), which are still preserved in the to ...
of
Algemesí
Algemesí () is a Municipalities of Spain, municipality in the Comarques of the Valencian Community, ''comarca'' of Ribera Alta (comarca), Ribera Alta in the Valencia (autonomous community), Valencian Community, Spain.
The town of Algemesí is on ...
in Valencia, the tradition of ''castells'' within Catalonia originated in the ''Ball dels Valencians'' (Valencian Dance) in
Valls
Valls () is a city and municipality in the province of Tarragona in Catalonia, Spain. According to the 2014 census it has a population of 24,570.
Valls is known for its calçots – a type of scallion or green onion – and the human towers tradi ...
,
near the city of
Tarragona
Tarragona (, ; Phoenician: ''Tarqon''; la, Tarraco) is a port city located in northeast Spain on the Costa Daurada by the Mediterranean Sea. Founded before the fifth century BC, it is the capital of the Province of Tarragona, and part of Tar ...
, first documented in 1712.
Over the course of the 18th century, they spread to other towns and cities in the area, including
Vilafranca del Penedès
Vilafranca del Penedès, or simply Vilafranca (), is the capital of the ''comarca'' of the Alt Penedès in Catalonia, Spain. The Spanish spelling of the name, ''Villafranca del Panadés'', is no longer in official use since 1982 (Law 12/1982, of ...
and
Tarragona
Tarragona (, ; Phoenician: ''Tarqon''; la, Tarraco) is a port city located in northeast Spain on the Costa Daurada by the Mediterranean Sea. Founded before the fifth century BC, it is the capital of the Province of Tarragona, and part of Tar ...
, though it was not until the last 50 years that the practice of building ''castells'' began to spread to the rest of Catalonia.
[ Interest in castells began to grow in the 1960s and 1970s. In the 1980s, the inclusion of women in the formerly male-only discipline ushered in the second ''època d'or'' (golden age) of castells; the presence of women is credited with allowing castells to be built lighter and stronger, permitting the construction of previously undreamed-of 9- and 10-story castells.
While in Catalonia, the ''Ball dels Valencians'' began to focus more on the acrobatic nature of building ever taller human towers, their more religious and allegorical predecessors retain their traditions: the ''Muixeranga'', which is performed in the Valencian city of ]Algemesí
Algemesí () is a Municipalities of Spain, municipality in the Comarques of the Valencian Community, ''comarca'' of Ribera Alta (comarca), Ribera Alta in the Valencia (autonomous community), Valencian Community, Spain.
The town of Algemesí is on ...
, and in other places in the Valencian Land and Catalonia, where it is often called the ''moixiganga''.
In 2015 the ''Coordinadora de Colles Castelleres de Catalunya'' hosted 99 groups, including Castellers de Vilafranca
The Castellers de Vilafranca () is a cultural and sporting association whose main objective is to build castells (human towers). It has the status of a public-interest association. The group was founded in 1948 in response to the increased in ...
and Minyons de Terrassa
Minyons de Terrassa is a group of castellers from Terrassa
Terrassa (, es, Tarrasa) is a city in the east central region of Catalonia, Spain, in the province of Barcelona, ''comarca'' of Vallès Occidental, of which it is the co-capital al ...
, who were able to construct the tallest human tower to date, the "4 de 10" (10 levels of people with four in each level).
These icons of Catalan culture and sports were featured in the opening ceremonies of the Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympics ( es, Juegos Olímpicos de Verano de 1992, ca, Jocs Olímpics d'estiu de 1992), officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad ( es, Juegos de la XXV Olimpiada, ca, Jocs de la XXV Olimpíada) and commonly known as ...
.
The Castell
In Catalan
Catalan may refer to:
Catalonia
From, or related to Catalonia:
* Catalan language, a Romance language
* Catalans, an ethnic group formed by the people from, or with origins in, Northern or southern Catalonia
Places
* 13178 Catalan, asteroid #1 ...
, the word ''castell'' literally translates into castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built during the Middle Ages predominantly by the nobility or royalty and by military orders. Scholars debate the scope of the word ''castle'', but usually consider it to be the private fortified r ...
, however in English its meaning is a human tower.
A ''castell'' is considered a success when assembly and disassembly can be done in complete succession. The assembly is complete once all ''castellers'' have climbed into their designated places, and the ''enxaneta'' climbs into place at the top and raises one open hand. The ''enxaneta'' then climbs down the other side of the ''castell'', after which the remaining levels of ''castellers'' descend in highest to lowest order until all have reached safety.
Aside from the people who climb to form the upper parts of the tower, others are needed to form the ''pinya'', or bottom base of the ''castell'', to sustain its weight. Members of the ''pinya'' (most often men) also act as a 'safety net' if the tower structure collapses, cushioning the fall of people from the upper levels. It is not uncommon—when not in competitions—for other ''colles'' to assist in the ''pinya'' when a small ''colla'' is attempting a specially demanding structure in terms of people needed.
The ''castell'' is built in two phases. First, the ''pinya''— the base of the tower — is formed. People forming higher levels of the tower move to a position from which they can easily get to their places in the tower. This is done slowly and carefully, and as subsequent base levels are completed the ''castellers'' in the ''pinya'' determine if their base is solid enough for construction to continue. Then, when the signal to proceed is given, bands begin to play the traditional ''Toc de Castells'' music as a hush comes over spectators of the event. The upper layers of the tower are built as quickly as possible in order to put minimal strain on the lower ''castellers'', who bear most of the weight of the ''castell''. The disassembly of the ''castell'', done amidst the cheering of the crowd, is often the most treacherous stage of the event.
A ''castell'' can also be ''aixecat per sota'' ("raised from below"). In this technique, rather than the lower levels being built first with subsequent layers added on top, the top layers are formed on the ground and then hoisted into the air level by level, with each successive layer being formed underneath. This is regarded as taking a great deal of practice, skill, and strength.
Attire
Typically ''castellers'' wear white trousers, a black sash (''faixa''), a bandana (''mocador''), and a shirt in a color characteristic of a given ''colla'', often bearing the team's emblem. For instance, ''Castellers de Barcelona
Castellers de Barcelona () is a team of castellers from Barcelona founded in 1969.
It is the first team to be founded outside the traditional area of human towers and the 5th team ever founded. Their first public display was 8 June 1969 in Vendre ...
'' team wear red shirts while ''Castellers de Vilafranca
The Castellers de Vilafranca () is a cultural and sporting association whose main objective is to build castells (human towers). It has the status of a public-interest association. The group was founded in 1948 in response to the increased in ...
'' wear green shirts and are often called "els verds" referencing their uniform.[Bencomo, Aida Ribot, ''Castells in The Construction of a Catalan Community: Body, Language, and Identity amidst Catalonia's National Debate''. University of California San Diego. 2020. ]
The sash (''faixa'') is the most important part of their outfit. It represents the tradition as a whole, and one only wears a ''faixa'' when being a casteller. The sash is also believed to support the lower back, and it is used by other castellers in the team as a foothold or handhold when climbing up the tower. This tasselled piece of cloth varies in length and width and depends on the ''casteller's'' position inside the tower and also on choice. The length of the sash ranges from 1.5 to 12m and usually is shorter for those higher up in the ''castell''. Performing ''castellers'' usually go barefoot as to minimise injuries upon each other as they climb to their positions and also for sensitivity when balancing and to have better feel and hold each other.
Structure
The arrangement of ''castellers'' can be into a multi-tiered structure and the highest has a height spanning of nine or ten people from ground up. The motto of ''Castellers'' is ''"Força, equilibri, valor i seny"'' (Strength, balance, courage and common sense). This motto is taken from a verse of ''Els Xiquets de Valls'' by Josep Anselm Clavé
Josep Anselm Clavé i Camps (April 21, 1824 – February 24, 1874) was a Spanish politician, composer and writer, founder of the choral movement in Catalonia and a promoter of the associative movement.
He was the initiator of choral singing in C ...
, a Catalonian politician and composer.
* Strength: ''Castellers'' at the base of the tower are usually stocky, while those further up, though generally lighter and agile, must still be fairly strong. The first ''castellers'' were peasants that were accustomed to holding great weights and were under much physical exertion.
* Balance: Supporting those above themselves in the castell, whilst relying on those below for support, requires a strong sense of balance and trust.
* Courage: The most important characteristic for castellers, especially for young children forming the highest levels of the castell.
* Common sense: Rehearsing and performing requires a great deal of planning and reasoning. Any error can cause the structure to fail and break apart.
Safety
Accidents are rare during the construction of a castell; however, as in every other crowded cultural event, ambulances are stationed nearby in case a person needs immediate attention. Fatal accidents do occur; the most recent was on 15 September 2011 when a man broke his second cervical vertebrae after falling from a ''castell''. On 23 July 2006, in Mataró
Mataró () is the capital and largest town of the ''comarca'' of the Maresme, in the province of Barcelona, Catalonia Autonomous Community, Spain. It is located on the Costa del Maresme, to the south of Costa Brava, between Cabrera de Mar and Sa ...
, a young ''casteller'' fell off the formation of a ''castell'' and died. This led to the requirement of specially designed helmets for all children participating in ''castells''. Prior to this, the last death of a participant was in 1983 in Torredembarra
Torredembarra (), normally called La Torre by its inhabitants, is a town in the ''comarca'' of the Tarragonès, in the province of Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain. It is located on the Costa Daurada, it faces Altafulla to the west, La Pobla de Monto ...
. There have only ever been four recorded mortalities from participating in ''castells''. Since the introduction of the helmets, there have been no cases of traumatic brain injury among children participating in castells.
Terminology
''Castell'' nomenclature
''Castells'' are primarily described by the number of people in each level of the ''tronc'' and the total number of levels and, where applicable, any special construction technique used. Levels are composed of between one and five individuals standing on the shoulders of the level below.
Common terms indicating the number of people for each level of a tower:
* ''Pilar'' ''("pillar")'': one person per level
* ''Torre'' ''("tower")'': two people per level
* ''Tres'' : three people per level
* ''Quatre'' : four people per level
* ''Cinc'' : five people per level (and so on)
''Castells'' with more than four people per level are composite structures. For example, the levels of a ''cinc'' are not pentagons; instead, the ''cinc'' amounts to a ''tres '' and a ''torre'' fused together (3 + 2 = 5), each level forming a figure-eight shape if seen from above.
Numbers of levels most commonly built:
* ''Sis'' : six levels high
* ''Set'' : seven levels
* ''Vuit'' : eight levels
* ''Nou'' : nine levels
* ''Deu'' : ten levels
For example, a ''tres de vuit'' (abbreviated 3d8) denotes a tower with three people per level and eight levels. (Only the first five levels will have three people per level. The ''pom de dalt'', see below, is reckoned as making up the top three levels.)
Very high towers and ones with a small number of people on each level normally need extra support from the base or bottom levels. These base levels are frequently indicated as part of the name of the tower. Three kinds of base levels are most commonly used:
* ''Pinya'' ''("pine cone/bulk")'': the ground-level base, often composed of several hundred people. Most towers have this, so it is not mentioned in the name. Instead, when a tower is built without a ''pinya'', it is described as ''net'' ("neat" or "simple"). There is furthermore an expression in Catalan called "''fer pinya"'' which is taken from its usage in castells. Literally translating into "making a pinecone" in English, this phrase is not only meaningful for castellers but for the people of Catalonia as a whole. To be a part of a pinya you do not need to be an experienced casteller, anybody can be a part of the base. Thus, "''fer pinya"'' represents the idea of coming together in solidarity to accomplish a goal or task.
* ''Folre'' ''("cover"/"lining")'': a second-level base built on top of the ''pinya''. Another layer of reinforcement above the ''pinya'' for the castell. It is always mentioned when used.
* ''Manilles'' ''("handles"/"handcuffs")'': a third-level base built on top of the second-level ''folre''. A manille is often use for particularly tall castells (nine or ten levels). It is always mentioned when used.
* When tall castells are built, for extra challenge, without a ''folre'' and/or ''manilles'' that would usually be used due to their height, this is also mentioned, e.g. '' torre de 9 sense manilles'' (''torre'' of 9 without ''manilles''), which can also be called ''torre de 9 amb folre'' (''torre'' of 9 with ''folre'', i.e. with only a ''folre'' and no ''manilles'')
The term ''amb l'agulla'' ''("with the needle")'' refers to a high column of one person per level which is built inside the main tower. When the ''castell'' is being dismantled, the ''agulla'' must remain standing until the outside part of the ''castell'' is already down.
Terms denoting special construction techniques include:
*''aixecat per sota'' ("raised from below"), in which the castell is built not from the bottom up by climbing, but from the top down with each successive level being boosted onto the shoulders of castellers who join at ground level;
*''caminant'' ("walking"), in which a castell (usually a ''pilar''), and its pinya if any, slowly walk as a unit across the ground. This is often done to enter the site at the beginning of an ''actuació''.
Another aspect of ''castell'' nomenclature refers to how successfully the tower was completed. Four terms are used:
* ''Descarregat'' : the tower is completed to the top—that is, to the point where the ''enxaneta'' raises his or her hand in the ''aleta'' gesture—and successfully dismantled
* ''Carregat'' : the tower is completed to the top but falls during dismantling
* ''Intent'' : the tower falls before it is completed to the top
* ''Intent desmuntat'' : the tower is not completed to the top but is successfully dismantled (because the tower is observed to be unstable and likely to fall)
Examples
* ''Pilar de sis'': one person per level in a tower of six levels. If nothing else is mentioned, this means that the tower had the bottom base-level ''pinya'' (as always) and was successfully dismantled (''descarregat'').
* ''Torre de nou'': two people per level in a tower of nine stories.
* ''Cinc de nou amb folre'': five people at each level in a tower of nine levels, with a second-level ''folre'' built on top of the base-level ''pinya''.
* ''Quatre de nou amb agulla'': four people at each level in a tower of nine levels, with an interior ''agulla''.
* ''Quatre de nou net'':four people at each level in a tower of nine levels without folre ( a second-level base ) built on top of the ''pinya'' ( ground level base ).
* ''Tres de deu amb folre i manilles'': three people per level in a tower of ten levels, with a second-level ''folre'' and a third-level ''manilles''.
* ''Quatre de deu amb folre i manilles'': four people per level, with additional support in the second and third levels. This difficult construction was achieved for the first time in November 2015, by the Minyons de Terrassa
Minyons de Terrassa is a group of castellers from Terrassa
Terrassa (, es, Tarrasa) is a city in the east central region of Catalonia, Spain, in the province of Barcelona, ''comarca'' of Vallès Occidental, of which it is the co-capital al ...
team.
''Castellers'' and parts of a castell
* ''cap de colla'' ''("team leader")'': The head of each team, who decides which ''castells'' the team is ready to attempt and directs the construction of the ''castells'' from the ground. The ''cap de colla'' is always accompanied by a number of assistants and advisers.
* ''cap de pinya'' ("base leader") one of the team leaders's assistants, who takes particular responsibility for the allocation of places in the pinya, ensuring even force is applied to the base of the castell. The cap de pinya will direct members of the pinya to different positions, depending on the size of the castell.
* ''tronc'' ("trunk"): The vertical part of the castell.
* ''baix'' ("base"): the casteller standing on the ground at the bottom of one of the columns of castellers making up the ''tronc'', and supporting the ''segon'' on his or her shoulders. Short, stocky, and strong.
* ''segon'' ("second"): One of the castellers standing on the shoulders of the ''baixos'', making up the second storey of the ''tronc''. Likewise, the subsequent storeys of the trunk are called ''terços, quarts, quints, sisens,'' and ''setens'' ("thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths, sevenths"). As the ''pom de dalt'' makes up the top three storeys of the castell and there has never yet been a castell taller than ten storeys, there have never been any ''vuitens'' ("eighths").
* ''agulla'' ("needle," not to be confused with the ''agulla'' mentioned above): A casteller who stands in front of and facing a ''baix'', holding the lower legs of the ''segon'' and relaying information and instructions to the members of the ''pinya''.
* ''contrafort'' ("buttress"): stands behind the ''baix'' and holds embraces him/her for support.
* ''crossa'' ("crutch"): fills in the space between ''baixos'' and supports their arms on his/her shoulders. Generally short and slender.
* ''mans'' ("hands"): stands behind the ''contrafort'' and supports the buttocks of the ''segon''.
* ''vent'' ("wind"): stands between and just outside two ''baixos'' and supports the legs of the ''segons'' standing on both.
* ''lateral'': stands to one side of a ''baix'' and supports one leg of the ''segon'' from the side.
* ''cordó'' ("cordon"): Each concentric layer of the ''pinya''. The ones in direct contact with the ''tronc'' are the ''primer cordó'', those behind them are the ''segon cordó'', and so forth. Members of the outer ''cordons'' are designated by the person they are positioned behind and the number of their ''cordó''. For example, the person behind the ''primeres mans'' is the ''segones mans''; behind that person is the ''terceres mans'', and so forth.
* ''tap'' ("stopper"): inserted into the ''pinya'' to fill a gap and make the ''pinya'' more solid.
* ''pom de dalt'' ''("top group")'': The top three levels of the ''castell'': ''dosos'', ''aixecador'', and ''enxaneta''.
* ''canalla'' ("children"): Those who make up the top levels of the ''castell''. They are usually children but can also be women.
* ''dosos'' ''("the twos")'': A level consisting of two people, supporting and locked together by the ''aixecador'' and surmounted by the ''enxaneta''. These ''castellers'' are generally children.
* ''aixecador'' ''("riser")'' or ''acotxador'' ("croucher"): The person who squats with one foot on each of the ''dosos'', locking them together and so providing a stable platform for the ''enxaneta'', who stands astride the ''aixecador''. Almost always a child.
* ''enxaneta'' ''("rider")'' : The topmost ''casteller'', a child. When the ''enxaneta'' raises his or her hand in a four-finger gesture called the ''aleta'', this indicates that the construction of the castell is complete.
The Human Tower Museum of Catalonia in Valls
In Valls
Valls () is a city and municipality in the province of Tarragona in Catalonia, Spain. According to the 2014 census it has a population of 24,570.
Valls is known for its calçots – a type of scallion or green onion – and the human towers tradi ...
, Món Casteller, The Human Tower Museum of Catalonia, is being built. The project is designed as a place of reference for the human tower universe where experiences can be lived out.
See the complete page: Món Casteller. The Human Tower Experience.
''Colles castelleres''
In Catalonia and Catalan-speaking regions
Colles castelleres universitàries (teams of college castellers)
* Arreplegats de la Zona Universitària (Barcelona)
* Bergants del Campus de Terrassa (Terrassa)
* Emboirats de la UVIC (Vic)
* Engrescats de la URL (Barcelona)
* Ganàpies de la UAB (Cerdanyola del Vallès)
* Grillats del CBL (Castelldefels)
* Llunàtics de la UPC de Vilanova
* Marracos de la UdL (Lleida)
* Passerells del Tecnocampus (Mataró)
* Pataquers de la URV (Camp de Tarragona)
* Penjats del Campus Manresa (Manresa)
* Trempats de la UPF (Barcelona)
* Xoriguers de la UdG (Girona)
''Colles exteriors'' (outside the Catalan-speaking region)
* Castellers de Sydney, (Sydney
Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...
, Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
)
* Castellers de Berlin
A ''castell'' () 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 t ...
, (Berlin
Berlin ( , ) is the capital and largest city of Germany by both area and population. Its 3.7 million inhabitants make it the European Union's most populous city, according to population within city limits. One of Germany's sixteen constitue ...
, Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
)
* Xiquets Copenhagen
Xiquets Copenhagen is an international in Copenhagen, Denmark with an interest in building and promoting human towers (), a tradition originating in Catalonia and recognised as a UNESCO Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanit ...
(Copenhagen
Copenhagen ( or .; da, København ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a proper population of around 815.000 in the last quarter of 2022; and some 1.370,000 in the urban area; and the wider Copenhagen metropolitan ar ...
, Denmark
)
, song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast")
, song_type = National and royal anthem
, image_map = EU-Denmark.svg
, map_caption =
, subdivision_type = Sovereign state
, subdivision_name = Danish Realm, Kingdom of Denmark
...
)
* (Paris
Paris () is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), making it the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2020. S ...
, France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
)
* Castellers of London
Castellers of London (CoL) is a group of people with an interest in building human towers (castells), a Catalan tradition that dates back more than 200 years, who live in London, England. Many of the people involved in CoL are from Catalonia, but ...
(London
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...
, England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
)
* Colla Castellera d'Edinburgh
Colla may refer to:
People
* Colla people, indigenous people of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile
Given name
* Colla mac Báirid (died 932), King of Limerick
* Colla MacDonnell (died 1558), Scottish noble
* Colla mac Fergusso (died 786), possibl ...
, (Edinburgh
Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian ...
, Scotland
Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...
)
* Xiquets de Hoorn (Hoorn
Hoorn () is a city and municipality in the northwest of the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. It is the largest town and the traditional capital of the region of West Friesland. Hoorn is located on the Markermeer, 20 kilometers ( ...
, Netherlands
)
, anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau")
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, subdivision_type = Sovereign state
, subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands
, established_title = Before independence
, established_date = Spanish Netherl ...
)
* Castellers d'Irlanda (Dublin
Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of th ...
, Ireland
Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...
)
* (Montréal, Québec
Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the second-most populous city in Canada and most populous city in the Canadian province of Quebec. Founded in 1642 as '' Ville-Marie'', or "City of Mary", it is named after Mount Royal, the triple-pe ...
, Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
)
* Castellers de Lo Prado
A ''castell'' () 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 t ...
, (Santiago
Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile as well as one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is the center of Chile's most densely populated region, the Santiago Metropolitan Region, whose ...
, Chile
Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in the western part of South America. It is the southernmost country in the world, and the closest to Antarctica, occupying a long and narrow strip of land between the Andes to the east a ...
)
* Koales de Melbourne, (Melbourne
Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...
, Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
)
* Castellers BXL Foyer
A ''castell'' () 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 t ...
, (Brussels
Brussels (french: Bruxelles or ; nl, Brussel ), officially the Brussels-Capital Region (All text and all but one graphic show the English name as Brussels-Capital Region.) (french: link=no, Région de Bruxelles-Capitale; nl, link=no, Bruss ...
, Belgium
Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...
)
* Xiquets de Hangzhou
Xiquets de Hangzhou () is a Chinese castellers group in Deqing, about 40 km to the northwest of Hangzhou in East China.Caja, Niel.
The group was created on the initiative of Qian Anhua, who discovered the Catalan tradition of ''castellers'' ...
, (Hangzhou
Hangzhou ( or , ; , , Standard Mandarin pronunciation: ), also romanized as Hangchow, is the capital and most populous city of Zhejiang, China. It is located in the northwestern part of the province, sitting at the head of Hangzhou Bay, whi ...
, China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...
)
See also
* Acrobalance
* Acrobatic gymnastics
Acrobatic gymnastics is a competitive gymnastic discipline where partnerships of gymnasts work together and perform figures consisting of acrobatic moves, dance and tumbling, set to music. There are three types of routines; a 'balance' routine ...
* Govinda sport
Dahi Handi (also known as Gopal Kala or Utlotsavam) is an entertainment and Competition, competitive event associated with Krishna Janmashtami, the Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Krishna.
During the event, which takes place during Augus ...
, a similar tradition in India.
* Gymnastic formation
* Human pyramid
* Muixeranga
The ''Muixeranga'' () is the collective name given to the performance of ancient street dances and human pyramids or ''castells'', originating in the ancient Kingdom of Valencia (currently the Land of Valencia), which are still preserved in the to ...
* Dahi Handi
References
External links
Human Towers World
– A site to know more about Human Towers, types, groups, events or image galleries.
Catalan-English vocabulary for castells
Som Castells
Documentary short film.
Coordinadora de Colles Castelleres de Catalunya (Official Association of Casteller Teams)
Human Towers!
– slideshow by ''Life magazine
''Life'' was an American magazine published weekly from 1883 to 1972, as an intermittent "special" until 1978, and as a monthly from 1978 until 2000. During its golden age from 1936 to 1972, ''Life'' was a wide-ranging weekly general-interest ma ...
''
lapinya.cat, a Castells forum
Visually informative video by Mike Randolph, a freelance journalist living in Spain
The site of the biannual castells competition held in Tarragona
Lavila
{{Catalonia topics
Catalan folklore
Catalan words and phrases
European folklore
Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
Human towers