What I love most about this tradition is how deeply it represents teamwork and community, two values that have made my time here so special. Building a castell is impossible without complete trust. The people at the bottom, called the pinya (pronounced PEEN-yuh), form a dense base that supports everyone above them. Those climbing the middle levels rely entirely on the strength and stability beneath their feet. It’s a powerful reminder that we are always stronger together than we are alone -- a lesson I hope you remember, especially in your classrooms where teamwork truly makes the dream work!
Castells have been a beloved tradition for more than 200 years, serving as a proud symbol of Catalan culture. When a colla successfully completes a tower, the entire town celebrates. Every person has a vital role: the strongest create the base, the agile climb the middle and the smallest children rise to the very top. It shows that everyone matters, no matter their age or size.
The tradition is strongly connected to the cultural environment of Catalonia. Castells are usually built in the main town square, or plaça (pronounced PLAH-suh), a large open space where hundreds of people can gather to form the base. The crowd doesn’t just watch -- they become part of the experience. They help keep the circle clear, cheer passionately and give energy and motivation to the builders.
