The Evolution of Spain's 200-Year-Old 'Human Tower'... World’s First Success with Nine People on Each of Nine Stories

First-Ever Completion of a Nine-Layer Human Tower with Nine People Per Layer
A Catalonian Tradition Spanning Over 200 Years
Listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010

For the first time in history, a nine-story human tower with nine people per layer was completed at the 'Castell' competition, a traditional event in Catalonia, Spain where participants build vertical towers by supporting each other's bodies. According to BBC and local media on October 5 (local time), the 30th 'Concurs de Castells' was held the previous day at Tarraco Arena in Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain.

This biennial competition is considered the world's largest human tower event. Thousands of spectators gathered at the stadium where the main matches took place, and 12 top teams representing Catalonia competed. The traditional powerhouse, Castellers de Vilafranca, claimed the championship.

The competition, held every two years, is considered the world's largest human tower event. Thousands of spectators gathered at the stadium where the main matches took place, and 12 top teams representing Catalonia competed. The championship was claimed by the traditional powerhouse, Castellers de Vilafranca. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News Agency

In particular, Castellers de Vilafranca set a new record in the history of castells by successfully completing a "9 de 9 amb folre," with nine people in each layer and stacking it up to nine stories at the end of the competition. This is the first time in the history of castells that such a structure has been completed.

Not only is the tower exceptionally tall, but the large number of individuals per layer demands advanced strength, balance, and teamwork. Lower-level participants form tightly packed supports, and lighter, smaller members climb on top in succession to complete the tower. This victory marks the 14th overall title for Castellers de Vilafranca at the competition. Dominating the event since the mid-1990s, this team has achieved an overwhelming record, winning 13 out of the last 15 competitions.

'Castell' means 'castle' in Catalan. It is a representative traditional culture of the Catalonia region, where people support each other's shoulders and backs to create a massive human tower vertically. SNS

'Castell' means 'castle' in Catalan. It is a representative traditional culture of the Catalonia region where people support each other's shoulders and backs to form a massive vertical human tower. Its origin dates back to around the 18th century. Beginning at regional festivals and folk events, the tradition has continued for over 200 years. Today, it goes beyond being a contest of height and has become a cultural symbol representing cooperation, solidarity, and community spirit.

Recognized for its historical and cultural value, castells were listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010. This year's competition did not focus solely on building the tallest tower. Instead, teams challenged themselves with complex structures, competing in strength, balance, and concentration.

Especially, the 9-story human tower completed by Castellers de Vilafranca was regarded as the most iconic scene of the competition even locally. The city of Tarragona described it as "the first-ever completed 9 de 9 amb folre in Casteller history." Reuters Yonhap News

Especially, the nine-story human tower completed by Castellers de Vilafranca was regarded as the most symbolic moment of this competition, even by local standards. The city of Tarragona described it as "the first ever completed 9 de 9 amb folre in the history of castells." Hundreds of people coming together and joining bodies to complete a tower created a spectacular scene, drawing cheers from the stadium audience. It was a moment when a tradition spanning more than 200 years achieved yet another new record.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.