Experience the excitement of human towers and human tower groups in Catalonia 2025

Human towers are one of the quintessential traditions of Catalan culture. Hundreds of people come together to defy gravity, perched on top of each other to create structures that have reached up to ten stories high. The small enxanetas (small wooden beams) that crown the structure when you raise your hand are the representative symbol of human towers, but the strength, balance, courage, and wisdom behind this gesture have allowed this centuries-old tradition to survive and still give goosebumps to its spectators.

To better understand the world of human towers, it's important to know that it's an activity that dates back to the early 19th century and is originally linked to the festive dances of the peasants of southern Catalonia, which culminated in small constructions. It is believed that by creating rivalries to build these taller structures, what we know today as castles emerged.

Constructions are counted according to width (the number of people on each floor) and height (the number of people on top of each other), keeping in mind that the piña (the base of the castle) and the children who climb only on top (acolchador and enxaneta) count as separate floors. When a group builds six-story castles, they are considered to be skilled enough to perform in the arena, and the best groups build constructions of up to nine, and at specific times, ten floors.

The 2025 Castellera Season

In Catalonia, there are several human tower festivals that are considered important for their technical level, tradition, and popularity.

Castle festival of Santa Eulalia in Barcelona

This is a day that begins before the human tower season, coinciding with the festival of Santa Eulalia in Barcelona, and this year it is celebrated on February 12, 2025.

Sant Jordi castle festivities

For Sant Jordi, various human tower festivals are held in Catalonia, and groups from municipalities such as Tarragona, Reus, Terrassa and Vilanova i la Geltrú will perform human towers on Sant Jordi Day.

Terrassa Festival

The Terrassa Festival is celebrated on the first Sunday after Saint Peter's Day (June 29). This year, it will be held on July 6, 2025. During the festival, the Terrassa Minyons (Castellers of Terrassa) toppled towers of the highest difficulty. The Terrassa Castellers (Castellers of Castells) and a third guest group also perform.

Feast of the Saints of Mataró

The Mataró Castellera de las Santas (Feast of the Holy Figures) is one of the most important and well-known festivals held in Mataró. This day takes place within the framework of the Festival of the Holy Figures, which are celebrated on the penultimate Sunday of July, in honor of the city's patron saints, Saint Juliana and Saint Semproniana. This year it will be celebrated on July 19, 2025.

Sant Magí castle festival in Tarragona

The Castellera de Sant Magí (Sant Magí Castle Festival) is a very important festival held in Tarragona in honor of Sant Magí, the city's patron saint. This day takes place on August 19, 2025, during the Sant Magí festivities.

Sant Fèlix castle festival in Vilafranca

It is one of the oldest and most important festivals in Catalonia. It is held on August 30, 2025, in Vilafranca del Penedès. The four best groups from the previous season participate, and it is known for its competitiveness and spectacular nature.

Castle festival of Santa Tecla in Tarragona

It is celebrated in Tarragona on September 23, 2025, as part of the Santa Tecla festivities. It is a day of mass attendance with the participation of numerous human tower groups.

Castle festival of the Mercadal in Reus

The Mercadal Castellera Festival is celebrated on the first Saturday in October, but beware! It is only held in odd-numbered years, so the next Diada will be on October 4, 2025, coinciding with the city's main festival. The human tower groups meet in Mercadal, one of the most emblematic squares in Reus and a particularly suitable location for human tower building activities, as its size and design allow for the accommodation of a large number of castellers and spectators.

Castle festival of Santa Úrsula in Valls

This day is celebrated on October 27, 2025, in Valls. It is one of the oldest and most notable festivals and is part of the city's main festival. It is notable for the presence of eight castles, which are the tallest and most complex.

Castle festival of San Narciso de Girona

The Festival of San Narciso is celebrated on the third or fourth Sunday in October. This year, it will take place on October 27, 2025, in Girona, during the city's main festival. It is one of the most important festivals in northern Catalonia and brings together several human tower groups from the region.

Castle festival of All Saints of Vilafranca del Penedès

For All Saints' Day, the Vilafranca del Penedès Castellera (Human Towers) Diada will take place on November 1, 2025, in the Plaça de la Villa. On this day, the Castellers de Vilafranca and three other invited groups will perform.

Castle festival of the Minyons of Terrassa 2025

Coinciding with the third Sunday in November, in the final stretch of the season, the Terrassa Minyons, wearing mauve shirts, celebrate their festival alongside two other invited groups. This year it falls on November 17, 2025.

It should be noted that there are many other important human tower festivals in Catalonia. The human tower culture is deeply rooted in Catalan society and festivals are celebrated throughout the country.

Experience the magic and excitement of human towers firsthand with the celebrations and human tower gatherings held throughout Catalonia.