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See Spectacular Photos of Spain’s Human Towers

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Building human towers, called castells, was first documented near the city of Tarragona, Spain in the 18th century. A Catalan cultural tradition, the practice spread throughout Catalonia during the 18th century at local festivals, which opened the door for competitions. With teams called colles, the goal during a competition is to successfully build—and deconstruct—the highest and most complex human tower without tumbling. A small child often tops the tower. In 2010, castells were declared Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

There are a number of colles, including the Castellers de Vilafranca, which was founded in 1948 and has over 400 active members. In November 2015, Minyons de Terrassa became the first colle to successfully build and dismantle a “4 de 10,” a tower’s height that measures ten groups high, with each group consisting of four people. Surprisingly, accidents are a rare occurrence while building castells, though a 12-year-old girl died in 2006 after falling off of a castell. Before the 2006 fatality, the last fatal accident was reported in 1983.

 

 

Xiquets de Reus form a human tower during a competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016.
"Xiquets de Reus" form a human tower during a competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016. Albert Gea—Reuters
Castellers de Vilafranca start to form a human tower in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016.
"Castellers de Vilafranca" start to form a human tower in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016. Albert Gea—Reuters
Colla Jove Xiquets de Tarragona start to form a human tower in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016.
"Colla Jove Xiquets de Tarragona" in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016. Albert Gea—Reuters
Members of "Xiquets de Reus" in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016.
"Xiquets de Reus" in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016.David Ramos—Getty Images
"Vella de Valls" in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016.
"Vella de Valls" in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016.David Ramos—Getty Images
"Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls" in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016.
"Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls" in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016. Lluis Gene—AFP/Getty Images
"Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls" in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016.
"Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls" in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016. Lluis Gene—AFP/Getty Images
"Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls" in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016.
"Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls" in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016. Lluis Gene—AFP/Getty Images
"Colla Joves Xiquets de Valls" fall down in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016.
"Colla Joves Xiquets de Valls" fall down in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016. Albert Gea—Reuters
"Colla Jove Xiquets de Tarragona" in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016.
"Colla Jove Xiquets de Tarragona" in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016. Lluis Gene—AFP/Getty Images
"Castellers de Villafranca" react after completing their human tower in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016.
"Castellers de Villafranca" react after completing their human tower in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016. Emilio Morenatti—AP
"Castellers de Sants" in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016.
"Castellers de Sants" in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016.David Ramos—Getty Images
Members of the colla 'Xiquets de Hanghzou' celebrate after building a human tower in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 1, 2016.
"Xiquets de Hanghzou" celebrate after building a human tower in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 1, 2016.David Ramos—Getty Images
Members of 'Vella de Valls' fall down in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016.
Members of "Vella de Valls" fall down in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 2, 2016.David Ramos—Getty Images
"Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls" in Tarragona, Spain on Oct. 2, 2016.
"Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls" in Tarragona, Spain on Oct. 2, 2016. Lluis Gene—AFP/Getty Images

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