Castells, discover a unique and genuine passion of Costa Daurada

Valls, Kilometer Zero

“Castells” were born in Valls, and in Plaça del Blat ─scene of the greatest feats by the 2 local “colles” (or teams), Colla Vella and Colla Joves─ you can read “Km 0 del món casteller” on the floor. If you’d like to see “castells” in Valls and this very plaza, you can do so on 5 specific days: Completes (23 June) and Sant Joan (24 June), the local festivity; Firagost (first Wednesday of August), which you can also use to visit the main exhibition of Catalan farming-related culture; the day prior to Catalunya’s National Day (10 September), and Santa Úrsula (first Sunday after 23 October), which is the top performance of all those that take place in the country. 

Tarragona, city of “castells”

In Tarragona, even though “castells” can be seen in various plazas, both Plaça de la Font and Plaça de les Cols (aka Plaça Santiago Rossinyol) really stand out. Plaça de la Font, opposite the Town Hall, has 2 key dates: the first Sunday of the Santa Tecla festivity (the Sunday before the actual big day) and Santa Tecla (23 September). Plaça de les Cols, as it’s usually known, hosts the festivity of Sant Magí, the city’s “little” festivity, due on 19 August. On Sant Magí, the public sit on the stairs opposite the Cathedral and absolutely crowd the surrounding streets, creating a unique atmosphere. Plus, the capital city offers a unique tourist and cultural product, the so-called Tarragona, city of “castells”, designed to allow people to discover the world of “castells”, whether you are just an aficionado or a novice. A third plaza in Tarragona that you can’t miss, as it becomes unique every 2 years, is the Tarraco Arena Plaza, an old bullring turned into a stunning multifunctional facility that, once every 2 years (even years), hosts the Tarragona Castells Contest, the largest “castells” show in the world, with some of the best “colles castelleres” in the country. 

Other “castells” towns and plazas

Also in Costa Daurada, you’ll get to see, enjoy and get excited with “castells” in other towns, such as Reus, with Plaça Mercadal as the main “castells” spot. Make sure you don’t miss Sant Pere (29 June), Misericordia (Saturday before the Misericordia festivity, 25 September) and Mercadal (first Sunday of October on even years). The region of Baix Penedès does also offer a long “castells” tradition. Here, the main historical plaza is known as Plaça Vella del Vendrell. Don’t miss the Dia de Santa Teresa, due on the first Sunday after 15 October. Bisbal del Penedès is another “castells” classic. Every 15 August, due to the Verge d’Agost, it hosts a really interesting performance in Carrer Doctor Robert. And, just a few miles away ─and just a few days later─, L’Arboç in Penedès holds the local festivity in the Plaça de la Vila. The event is due on the fourth Sunday of August. 

In the area known as Baix Gaià, Plaça de la Vila del Catllar has now consolidated as one of the reference “castells” dates, especially thanks to the actual day it takes place ─last Saturday of August─ and the commitment of the “colles” taking part. And in Altafulla, in Plaça del Pou, besides being able to admire “castells”, you can also photograph the spectacular monument which evokes, full size, what’s known as a “pilar de vuit amb folre i manilles” (a single-person 8-floor construction) made by Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls in this very same spot in... 1878! The monument, entirely of terracotta, was made by local artist, Martí Royo. In Altafulla, don’t miss the Dia de les Cultures, due on the second Sunday of July. 

So now you now; if you’re on holidays in Costa Daurada and you can actually experience a “castells” performance in person, don’t think twice, you won’t regret it. You will certainly get goose bumps, that is for sure. Most towns in Costa Daurada offer “diades castelleres” (or performances). Check them out in our website: https://costadaurada.info/en/agenda.

Foto: Pere Toda/Ajutament de Valls