Photos: Castellers compete to build tallest human tower

News

A castell is a human tower built traditionally at the Tarragona Castells Competition in Catalonia area in Spain.

Members of the Castellers Collas Jove Xiquets de Tarragona fall as they tried to complete their human tower during the 25th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014. The tradition of building human towers or �castells� dates back to the 18th century and takes place during festivals in Catalonia, where �colles� or teams compete to build the tallest and most complicated towers. The structure of the �castells� varies depending on their complexity. A �castell� is considered completely successful when it is loaded and unloaded without falling apart. The highest �castell� in history was a 10 floor structure with 3 people in each floor. In 2010 �castells� were declared by UNESCO one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

TARRAGONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 05: Members of the 'Colla Joves Xiquets de Valls' during the construction of a human tower during the 25th Tarragona Castells Competition on October 5, 2014 in Tarragona, Spain. The 'Castellers' who build the human towers with precise techniques compete in groups, known as 'colles', at local festivals with aim to build the highest and most complex human tower. The Catalan tradition is believed to have originated from human towers built at the end of the 18th century by dance groups and is part of the Catalan culture. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Members of the Castellers Joves Xiquets de Valls try to complete their human tower during the 25th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014. The tradition of building human towers or �castells� dates back to the 18th century and takes place during festivals in Catalonia, where �colles� or teams compete to build the tallest and most complicated towers. The structure of the �castells� varies depending on their complexity. A �castell� is considered completely successful when it is loaded and unloaded without falling apart. The highest �castell� in history was a 10 floor structure with 3 people in each floor. In 2010 �castells� were declared by UNESCO one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

TARRAGONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 05: Members of the Colla 'Capgrossos de Mataro' during the construction of a human tower during the 25th Tarragona Castells Competition on October 5, 2014 in Tarragona, Spain. The 'Castellers' who build the human towers with precise techniques compete in groups, known as 'colles', at local festivals with aim to build the highest and most complex human tower. The Catalan tradition is believed to have originated from human towers built at the end of the 18th century by dance groups and is part of the Catalan culture. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

In this Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 photo, members of the Castellers de Osona complete their human tower during the 25th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain. The tradition of building human towers or �castells� dates back to the 18th century and takes place during festivals in Catalonia, where �colles� or teams compete to build the tallest and most complicated towers. The structure of the �castells� varies depending on their complexity. A �castell� is considered completely successful when it is loaded and unloaded without falling apart. The highest �castell� in history was a 10 floor structure with 3 people in each floor. In 2010 �castells� were declared by UNESCO one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Members of the Castellers de Tarragona work together making their human tower during the 25th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014. The tradition of building human towers or �castells� dates back to the 18th century and takes place during festivals in Catalonia, where �colles� or teams compete to build the tallest and most complicated towers. The structure of the �castells� varies depending on their complexity. A �castell� is considered completely successful when it is loaded and unloaded without falling apart. The highest �castell� in history was a 10 floor structure with 3 people in each floor. In 2010 �castells� were declared by UNESCO one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

TARRAGONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 05: Members of the Colla 'Castellers de Vilafranca' start the construction of a human tower during the 25th Tarragona Castells Competition on October 5, 2014 in Tarragona, Spain. The 'Castellers' who build the human towers with precise techniques compete in groups, known as 'colles', at local festivals with aim to build the highest and most complex human tower. The Catalan tradition is believed to have originated from human towers built at the end of the 18th century by dance groups and is part of the Catalan culture. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

TARRAGONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 05: Members of the Colla 'Colla Joves Xiquets de Valls' start the construction of a human tower during the 25th Tarragona Castells Competition on October 5, 2014 in Tarragona, Spain. The 'Castellers' who build the human towers with precise techniques compete in groups, known as 'colles', at local festivals with aim to build the highest and most complex human tower. The Catalan tradition is believed to have originated from human towers built at the end of the 18th century by dance groups and is part of the Catalan culture. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

In this Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 photo, members of the Castellers de Terrasa watch as others castellers complete their human tower during the 25th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain. The tradition of building human towers or �castells� dates back to the 18th century and takes place during festivals in Catalonia, where �colles� or teams compete to build the tallest and most complicated towers. The structure of the �castells� varies depending on their complexity. A �castell� is considered completely successful when it is loaded and unloaded without falling apart. The highest �castell� in history was a 10 floor structure with 3 people in each floor. In 2010 �castells� were declared by UNESCO one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Members of the Castellers de Villafranca react as they watch their teammates forming a human tower during the 25th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014. The tradition of building human towers or �castells� dates back to the 18th century and takes place during festivals in Catalonia, where �colles� or teams compete to build the tallest and most complicated towers. The structure of the �castells� varies depending on their complexity. A �castell� is considered completely successful when it is loaded and unloaded without falling apart. The highest �castell� in history was a 10 floor structure with 3 people in each floor. In 2010 �castells� were declared by UNESCO one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Members of the Castellers de Villafranca celebrate after finishing their human tower during the 25th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014. The tradition of building human towers or �castells� dates back to the 18th century and takes place during festivals in Catalonia, where �colles� or teams compete to build the tallest and most complicated towers. The structure of the �castells� varies depending on their complexity. A �castell� is considered completely successful when it is loaded and unloaded without falling apart. The highest �castell� in history was a 10 floor structure with 3 people in each floor. In 2010 �castells� were declared by UNESCO one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Members of a Castellers push to make a human tower during the 25th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014. The tradition of building human towers or �castells� dates back to the 18th century and takes place during festivals in Catalonia, where �colles� or teams compete to build the tallest and most complicated towers. The structure of the �castells� varies depending on their complexity. A �castell� is considered completely successful when it is loaded and unloaded without falling apart. The highest �castell� in history was a 10 floor structure with 3 people in each floor. In 2010 �castells� were declared by UNESCO one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Members of the Castellers de Jove de Tarragona celebrate after finishing their human tower during the 25th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014. The tradition of building human towers or �castells� dates back to the 18th century and takes place during festivals in Catalonia, where �colles� or teams compete to build the tallest and most complicated towers. The structure of the �castells� varies depending on their complexity. A �castell� is considered completely successful when it is loaded and unloaded without falling apart. The highest �castell� in history was a 10 floor structure with 3 people in each floor. In 2010 �castells� were declared by UNESCO one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Members of the Castellers de la Vella celebrate after finishing their human tower during the 25th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014. The tradition of building human towers or �castells� dates back to the 18th century and takes place during festivals in Catalonia, where �colles� or teams compete to build the tallest and most complicated towers. The structure of the �castells� varies depending on their complexity. A �castell� is considered completely successful when it is loaded and unloaded without falling apart. The highest �castell� in history was a 10 floor structure with 3 people in each floor. In 2010 �castells� were declared by UNESCO one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

In this Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 photo, a wounded woman of the Castellers de Osona is held by teammates after falling while forming their human tower during the 25th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain. The tradition of building human towers or �castells� dates back to the 18th century and takes place during festivals in Catalonia, where �colles� or teams compete to build the tallest and most complicated towers. The structure of the �castells� varies depending on their complexity. A �castell� is considered completely successful when it is loaded and unloaded without falling apart. The highest �castell� in history was a 10 floor structure with 3 people in each floor. In 2010 �castells� were declared by UNESCO one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Musicians of the Castellers Collas Jove Xiquets de Tarragona play their instruments as castellers try to complete their human tower during the 25th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014. The tradition of building human towers or �castells� dates back to the 18th century and takes place during festivals in Catalonia, where �colles� or teams compete to build the tallest and most complicated towers. The structure of the �castells� varies depending on their complexity. A �castell� is considered completely successful when it is loaded and unloaded without falling apart. The highest �castell� in history was a 10 floor structure with 3 people in each floor. In 2010 �castells� were declared by UNESCO one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

EDS NOTE - SPANISH LAW REQUIRES THAT THE FACES OF MINORS ARE MASKED IN PUBLICATIONS WITHIN SPAIN - In this Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 photo, members of the Castellers de San Cugat react as their teammates complete their human tower during the 25th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain. The tradition of building human towers or �castells� dates back to the 18th century and takes place during festivals in Catalonia, where �colles� or teams compete to build the tallest and most complicated towers. The structure of the �castells� varies depending on their complexity. A �castell� is considered completely successful when it is loaded and unloaded without falling apart. The highest �castell� in history was a 10 floor structure with 3 people in each floor. In 2010 �castells� were declared by UNESCO one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Members of the Castellers Colla Vella de Xiquets de Valls fall as they tried to complete their human tower during the 25th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014. The tradition of building human towers or �castells� dates back to the 18th century and takes place during festivals in Catalonia, where �colles� or teams compete to build the tallest and most complicated towers. The structure of the �castells� varies depending on their complexity. A �castell� is considered completely successful when it is loaded and unloaded without falling apart. The highest �castell� in history was a 10 floor structure with 3 people in each floor. In 2010 �castells� were declared by UNESCO one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

In this Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 photo, the coach of the Castellers de San Cugat gives instructions to his castellers as they complete their human tower during the 25th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014. The tradition of building human towers or �castells� dates back to the 18th century and takes place during festivals in Catalonia, where �colles� or teams compete to build the tallest and most complicated towers. The structure of the �castells� varies depending on their complexity. A �castell� is considered completely successful when it is loaded and unloaded without falling apart. The highest �castell� in history was a 10 floor structure with 3 people in each floor. In 2010 �castells� were declared by UNESCO one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

In this Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 photo, a member of the Castellers de Poble Sec wears a worn out shirt after failing to complete their human tower during the 25th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain. The tradition of building human towers or �castells� dates back to the 18th century and takes place during festivals in Catalonia, where �colles� or teams compete to build the tallest and most complicated towers. The structure of the �castells� varies depending on their complexity. A �castell� is considered completely successful when it is loaded and unloaded without falling apart. The highest �castell� in history was a 10 floor structure with 3 people in each floor. In 2010 �castells� were declared by UNESCO one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

In this Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 photo, members of the Castellers de Sitges complete their human tower during the 25th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain. The tradition of building human towers or �castells� dates back to the 18th century and takes place during fe stivals in Catalonia, where �colles� or teams compete to build the tallest and most complicated towers. The structure of the �castells� varies depending on their complexity. A �castell� is considered completely successful when it is loaded and unloaded without falling apart. The highest �castell� in history was a 10 floor structure with 3 people in each floor. In 2010 �castells� were declared by UNESCO one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

TARRAGONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 05: Members of the 'Colla Jove Xiquets de Tarragona' during the construction of a human tower during the 25th Tarragona Castells Competition on October 5, 2014 in Tarragona, Spain. The 'Castellers' who build the human towers with precise techniques compete in groups, known as 'colles', at local festivals with aim to build the highest and most complex human tower. The Catalan tradition is believed to have originated from human towers built at the end of the 18th century by dance groups and is part of the Catalan culture. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

1/25

Members of the Castellers Collas Jove Xiquets de Tarragona fall as they tried to complete their human tower during the 25th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014. The tradition of building human towers or �castells� dates back to the 18th century and takes place during festivals in Catalonia, where �colles� or teams compete to build the tallest and most complicated towers. The structure of the �castells� varies depending on their complexity. A �castell� is considered completely successful when it is loaded and unloaded without falling apart. The highest �castell� in history was a 10 floor structure with 3 people in each floor. In 2010 �castells� were declared by UNESCO one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Today's Gallery Headlines

Alerts

PHOTOS: Georgia Tech battles BYU in Pop-Tarts Bowl

PHOTOS: 2025 AJC Photos of the Year

PHOTOS: Coca-Cola ads over time

PHOTOS: Philanthropists leave mark on Atlanta

PHOTOS: Capitol lights up for Christmas holidays

PHOTOS: Fans attend 2026 World Cup draw party in Atlanta

'No body' homicide cases in Georgia

PHOTOS: Cobb County Sheriff's Office Equine Therapy Program