The human towers of Tarragona – in pictures
Catalans compete to build the biggest human towers in Spain
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Members of the Castellers de Mollet team fall down as they build a human tower
Photograph: David Ramos/Getty Images
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Castellers build these human towers with precise techniques and compete in groups, know as colles, at local festivals in the months before the annual competition
Photograph: David Ramos/Getty Images
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Assistants watch members of Castellers de Vilafranca try to form a castell
Photograph: Emilio Morenatti/AP
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Members of the Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls compete alongside their rivals
Photograph: David Ramos/Getty Images
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The Catalan tradition is believed to have originated from human towers built at the end of the 18th century by dance troupes
Photograph: David Ramos/Getty Images
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Safety is of increasing concern and helmets are now considered essential for some members of the team
Photograph: Albert Gea/Reuters
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The Castellers de Sabadell team in action
Photograph: Lluís Gené/AFP/Getty Images
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Members of Sagals d’Osona form the base of a castell
Photograph: Emilio Morenatti/AP
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The Catalan tradition was recognised by Unesco’s Intangible Heritage of Humanity list in 2010
Photograph: Enric Fontcuberta/EPA
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The popularity of the tradition means there are now more than 100 teams competing
Photograph: David Ramos/Getty Images
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Different castells are judged by the number of people per level, and the number of levels
Photograph: Enric Fontcuberta/EPA
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A construction must have at least six levels in order to be considered a castell
Photograph: Emilio Morenatti/AP
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Members of Colla Joves Xiquets de Valls fall
Photograph: Emilio Morenatti/AP
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Traditionally the season began on Saint John’s Day and ended with the Saint Ursula meeting but the calendar has been extended, and nowadays human towers can be seen virtually all year round
Photograph: Albert Gea/Reuters
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Members of Colla Jove Xiquets de Tarragona team form their castell
Photograph: Enric Fontcuberta/EPA
