🏗️ There are traditions that seem to defy the laws of physics. And the Castellers are one of them.
Hundreds of people, dressed in colourful shirts, hold on to each other to build human structures up to ten storeys high. There are no ropes or scaffolding. Only people, coordination and absolute trust in one another.
This ancestral tradition, born in Catalan lands, has been recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is the ultimate expression of a motto that sums it all up: "strength, balance, courage and common sense".
At The Sun Places, we understand that luxury is also found in authentic experiences, in connecting with the cultural roots that make a destination unique. That's why we invite you to discover the history of the Castellers, their values and the groups that keep this tradition alive.
✨ Castells are human towers erected in squares and streets during popular festivities. People of all ages take part in their construction, from five-year-old children who crown the tower to the strongest ones who form the base.
The secret lies in coordination and respect for the values that define them: teamwork, discipline, humility, solidarity and courage.
📜 Origin and history of the Castellers: from Valls to the world
To find the origin of the Castellers we have to travel back to the 18th century, specifically to the town of Valls, in the province of Tarragona.
Although human towers have their roots in the ancient Valencian 'muixeranga' of the 15th century, which combined dance and acrobatics, it was the people of Valls who, around the 1770s, separated the activity from dance and focused on raising increasingly higher human constructions.
The first documented performance dates back to 1801, during the Festa Major of Valls. From there, the tradition spread throughout the Camp de Tarragona and later to the Penedès.
The 19th century was a time of consolidation, but at the end of the century, the tradition went into a deep crisis due to migratory movements and the emergence of new forms of leisure.
The 20th century brought with it the recovery of the groups, which managed to survive even during the Franco dictatorship, when the activity was relegated to the background.
The final great boost came in 1992, when the Castellers took part in the opening ceremony of the Barcelona Olympic Games, showing this spectacular tradition to the world.
International recognition came on 16 November 2010, when UNESCO declared Castells Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
🏅 The values of the Castellers: much more than a human tower
Being part of a casteller group is much more than climbing onto others' shoulders. It is embracing a philosophy of life based on a set of fundamental values.
Teamwork is the pillar of the activity. From the strongest person holding the base to the child crowning the tower, everyone is vital for the castle to be built and dismantled successfully. At the base, the pinya, collaboration is especially crucial. Its members constantly talk to each other to coordinate the pressure and force they must exert towards the core.
The Castellers are an example of humility. The group's motto is clear: "Everyone is important, no one is essential". When the castle is successfully dismantled, there are no stars or protagonists; the celebration is collective, because everyone has contributed from their position.
Discipline and order are essential to move dozens of people in unison. That is why the groups invest great efforts in organisational techniques, such as using projections during rehearsals so that the castellers know exactly their position.
Courage and persistence are the fuel of this tradition. A lot of training is needed to take on new challenges in the form of taller and more difficult towers, and to keep going even when the tower wobbles or collapses.
🏗️ The structure of a castell: the pinya, the tronc and the pom de dalt
A castell is made up of three fundamental parts: the base, the trunk and the top.
The pinya is the base of the tower, where dozens of people gather to ensure the stability of the structure. It is the first line of safety, the "all-risk insurance" that cushions possible falls.
The tronc is the central body of the tower, which rises from the pinya to the upper floors. In this part, the number of people per floor varies according to the figure to be built.
The pom de dalt is the final section, made up of the last three floors. Only children, the "canalla", go up this section, wearing protective helmets. The last floor is crowned by the enxaneta, who, upon reaching the top, raises an arm to indicate that the castle is built. Below them are the acotxador and the dosos.
Depending on the difficulty of the castell, reinforcements can be added to the base, such as the folre (a second floor of people on top of the pinya) or the manilles (a third reinforcement).
🏆 The best groups and their meaning
In the casteller world, groups compete to build the tallest and most spectacular towers, fostering a spirit of improvement and rivalry that has accompanied the tradition since its beginnings.
The Nit de Castells 2026 made it clear which groups set the pace in the current landscape.
The great names of the tradition
- Castellers de Vilafranca: They received a special award for their historic performance on All Saints' Day (1 November), where they dismantled constructions of maximum difficulty such as the 4de9sf, the 3de10fm, the 4de10fm and the pilar de 8fm. They are considered the most award-winning group in history, and their rivalry with the Minyons de Terrassa and the Valls groups has marked the competition for decades.
- Colla Vella and Joves de Valls: Originating from the cradle of the Castells, these groups have maintained the legacy of their city for generations and remain a benchmark at the most important gatherings, such as Santa Úrsula.
- Jove de Tarragona: One of the most dynamic groups in the region, which represents its city with great pride and has consolidated a prominent position in the current landscape due to its regularity in high-range constructions.
- Nois de la Torre: They were recognised as the Revelation Group of 2026 for having premiered the 4de8 and dismantled the first 2de7 after 48 years, a major milestone for a medium-sized group.
- Castellers de Sants: They won the Descargado Award for having substantially expanded the number of 9-floor castles they complete.
In addition to these great groups, there are others such as the Xiquets de Reus, which have recovered historic castles and consolidated their position, or the Castellers de Viladecans, a younger group that achieved the important milestone of being recognised as a "Colla de 7" in 2025, demonstrating the vitality and growth of this tradition.
🌟 What the Castellers represent for popular culture and The Sun Places
The Castellers are the ultimate expression of Catalan popular culture. They are the symbol of a people that comes together, that trusts others and that celebrates its traditions with passion and pride.
They are identity, tradition, diversity and passion. In a group, your social, geographical or economic origin doesn't matter. Whole families participate together, from grandparents to grandchildren, creating a special bond that resembles that of a second family. This tradition has even served as a factor of integration for immigrant people, who find in the group a space of belonging.
At The Sun Places, the Castellers represent the most authentic connection with the land. Witnessing a casteller gathering is understanding the strength of a community that organises itself to achieve a common goal, the balance between tradition and modernity, the courage of keeping customs alive, and the common sense of knowing that true luxury lies in shared experiences.
Inviting our guests to discover this tradition is offering them a journey to the heart of popular culture, a spectacle that moves and remains engraved forever in the memory.
🏙️ The perfect plan to experience a casteller gathering
Friday: Arrival and preparation for the gathering
- In the afternoon, stroll through the streets to experience the festive atmosphere that precedes the gathering.
- Enjoy a traditional dinner at a local restaurant to discover the flavours of the region.
Saturday: Casteller gathering day
- In the morning, go to the square to get a good spot. Gatherings usually start at midday.
- Watch the groups enter, each with their characteristic coloured shirt. Listen to the "Toc de Castells" of the gralla and timbals that sets the rhythm of the tower's construction.
- As the tower rises, look for the collaboration at the base. The children, the "canalla", climb the last floors.
- Feel the emotion of seeing how a human tower rises towards the sky and how the square vibrates when it is successfully dismantled.
Sunday: Farewell with memories
- Sleep in and share the experiences of the previous day.
- If you've caught the bug, find out about the open rehearsals of the local groups and dare to try.
- Before leaving, get a souvenir of this unforgettable experience.
✨ Ready to experience the excitement of the Castellers with The Sun Places?
📞 Contact us and let us organise your perfect cultural experience so you can witness this tradition that defies the sky. We offer you luxury accommodation in the best locations and personalised advice so you don't miss the most important gatherings.
CEO's word: At The Sun Places we travel the world looking for unique and authentic experiences, and the Castellers are among the most impressive we have lived. A mixture of strength, tradition and popular soul that cannot be explained, it must be felt. In our case, we see that it is a way of working as a team, of creating synergies, where everyone is important and everyone assumes the same risk. We invite everyone to be part of this spectacle, to feel the emotion of seeing how a community rises together. That is also the luxury we seek: genuine connection.
But if you prefer other destinations, The Sun Places also has prepared for you: Luxury Apartments in Madrid, Luxury Accommodation on the Costa Brava, Luxury Apartments in Seville, Luxury Apartments in Cádiz, Luxury Apartments in Puerto Banús, Luxury Accommodation in Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Luxury Apartments in Córdoba.
© 2026 The Sun Places. All rights reserved