Human tower - about building human towers Spain

A castell is a human tower traditionally built during festivals in many places in Catalonia, Spain. At these festivals, several teams meet and try to build the most impressive towers they can.

A castell is considered a success when everyone has climbed into place, the enxaneta (the last one) climbs up to the top, raises one hand (with four fingers erect, said to symbolize the stripes of the Catalan flag), climbs down the other side of the castell, and then everyone else comes down safely .Besides the people who actually climb, many are also needed to form the pinya (the base of the castell). They help sustain the weight and act as a sort of safety net.

Besides the people who actually climb, many are also needed to form the pinya (the base of the castell). They help sustain the weight and act as a sort of safety net.

Typical clothing consists of white trousers, a black sash, a bandana and a colored shirt bearing the team's emblem. While performing castellers usually go barefoot so that they do not hurt each other as they climb.

Mid-September sees one of the most well known events in Valencia - the Fiesta de La Virgen de la Salud (Virgin of Good Health) - which incorporates the Human Pyramid Festival