Tarragona stands as a key city in the world of 'castells', the traditional Catalan human towers. The city's historical connection to this activity dates back to the 19th century, when groups from Valls performed their most complex structures during city festivals. In 1881, Plaça de les Cols even saw the first 'quatre de nou sense folre' (a nine-level tower with four people per level, without a supporting base) built there, according to Tarragona City Council.

Today, Tarragona's influence in 'castells' is stronger than ever. This is due to its four local groups, the significance of their performances, and especially the organisation of the Concurs de Castells, a major human towers competition. These elements collectively earn Tarragona its reputation as the capital of the 'casteller' world.

Tarragona's Human Tower Groups

The city is home to four active 'casteller' groups:

  • Xiquets de Tarragona: Established in 1970.
  • Colla Jove Xiquets de Tarragona: Founded in 1979.
  • Xiquets del Serrallo: Formed in 1988.
  • Castellers de Sant Pere i Sant Pau: Created in 1990.

These groups perform together at the city's main 'casteller' events throughout the year.

Key Performance Dates

Major 'casteller' performances, known as 'diades', are held on several significant dates in Tarragona:

  • 23 April, Sant Jordi: At 19:30 on Rambla Nova.
  • 24 June, Sant Joan: At 19:30 in Plaça de la Font.
  • 19 August, Sant Magí: At 12:00 in Plaça de les Cols.
  • 11 September, Diada Nacional: At 12:00 in Pla del Seu.
  • 23 September, Santa Tecla: At 13:00 in Plaça de la Font.
  • 24 September, La Mercè: At 13:00 in Plaça de les Cols.

The La Mercè celebration also includes the 'baixada dels pilars caminant', or the walking pillars descent. During this event, the four groups, in order of their founding year, try to walk their 'pilar de quatre' (a four-level pillar) from Plaça de les Cols to the City Council. This demanding route includes ascending and descending 20 steps at Pla del Seu, traversing Carrer Major, descending Misericòrdia, and crossing Plaça de la Font. Groups typically complete this long journey in about ten minutes.

Since 2005, the first Sunday of the Santa Tecla festivities has also hosted the Festa Major 'casteller' event. This performance brings together Tarragona's two top groups, Xiquets de Tarragona and Colla Jove Xiquets de Tarragona, alongside two leading 'casteller' groups from elsewhere. This gathering has allowed spectators to see 'castells de gamma extra', which are the most difficult human tower structures.

The Concurs de Castells

The Concurs de Castells is described as the world's largest 'casteller' show. This competition features the country's best human tower groups and takes place every two years, in early autumn of even-numbered years. A key aspect of the event is that it is the only 'diada' of the entire season where all 'castells' receive a score based on their difficulty. This scoring system encourages top groups to compete for the highest ranking in the final classification. All participating groups find the Concurs a suitable setting to attempt their most ambitious structures.

Tarragona City Council organises the event, with Torredembarra City Council collaborating since 2014. Nearly 7,000 people attend this significant 'casteller' performance, which involves around forty participating groups and receives extensive media coverage globally. The Concurs de Castells is a top-tier spectacle and an excellent chance to experience 'castells', a Catalan cultural expression recognised as intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO.