Building human towers in Barcelona's Plaça de Sant Jaume as part of the 2018 Santa Eulalia festival. You have to admire the bravery of the children!

Castellering or “castle building” is a tradition that began in Catalonia in the 19th century and today is more popular than ever. Although it can be competitive, castellering is not so much a sport as a challenge involving a lot of planning, teamwork and trust, and of course - strength, balance and courage.

You may have seen castellering on television, but to truly appreciate the skill and effort required, it is best to be in the crowd just metres away from where the castles are being constructed.

Each of the teams is called a “colla” and can consist of hundreds of people. Most people are at the base, providing the foundation for the castle. The higher levels consist of lighter and lighter people, with very brave small children at the very top.

The word ‘castell’ literally means ‘castle’ in Catalan, and the practice is embedded in Catalan identity, never more so than now.

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Este video tiene subtítulos opcionales en inglés y español.