Tarragona's Santa Tecla Festival: Vilafranca Excels with 10-Story Castells

The Plaça de la Font hosts a demanding 'castell' event with 'gamma extra' and attempts at 10-story towers, gearing up for the competition.

Generic image of human towers (castells) being built in a Catalunya square at dusk.
IA

Generic image of human towers (castells) being built in a Catalunya square at dusk.

The Plaça de la Font in Tarragona hosted an intense 'castell' event during the Santa Tecla festival, featuring top-level 'gamma extra' 'colles' such as the Castellers de Vilafranca, Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls, Jove de Tarragona, and Xiquets de Tarragona.

The day was marked by the 'colles'' ambition, presenting 'gamma extra' 'castells' and aiming for ten-story structures. In total, eight 'gamma extra' and two 10-story 'castells' were witnessed, showcasing the competitive level ahead of the upcoming 'castell' competition.
The Castellers de Vilafranca successfully achieved their main objective, completing the 3 de 10 amb folre i manilles, the only 'castell' of this difficulty performed to date at this festival in the Tarragona square. They also completed a 3 de 9 amb agulla and a 5 de 9 amb folre, along with a pillar of eight.
The Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls attempted the 4 de 10 amb folre i manilles, loading it but failing to complete it. Their performance concluded with a solid 4 de 9 net, a 3 de 9 amb folre, and a loaded pillar of eight.
The Colla Jove dels Xiquets de Tarragona also attempted a 10-story 'castell', which fell before crowning. They managed to complete the 5 de 9 amb folre and the 4 de 9 amb folre, in addition to a pillar of seven.
Meanwhile, the Xiquets de Tarragona achieved their goal of completing the 'tripleta màgica', with the 5 de 8, the 4 de 9 amb folre, and a highly anticipated 3 de 9 amb folre, accomplished after an intense struggle.
This event served as preparation for the 'castell' competition scheduled in Tarragona in two weeks, where the 'colles' will aim to solidify their best structures.