Pilars Caminant in Tarragona: the most difficult casteller challenge of September 24
The Walking Pillars in Tarragona are the most demanding and unique casteller exercise that can be seen in the region. Every September 24th, the four teams of the city face the challenge of raising and lowering a pillar through the Cathedral and carrying it on foot to the City Hall, an event that no other major festival in Catalonia offers.
This tradition, which closes the Festa Major de Santa Tecla, combines precision, strength, and balance in a special 500-meter route through the Part Alta, attracting hundreds of Tarragonins and visitors.
Walking Pillars in Tarragona: a singular and challenging event
What are the Walking Pillars and why are they unique?
The Walking Pillars consist of raising a pillar, the simplest structure in appearance, and keeping it upright while going up and down the Cathedral stairs and walking through cobblestone streets to the City Hall. This peculiarity makes it one of the most difficult challenges of the castells because it requires a lot of coordination and balance in motion.
How does the event unfold during Santa Tecla?
The day starts at Plaça de les Cols, where the four teams - Xiquets de Tarragona, Colla Jove Xiquets de Tarragona, Xiquets del Serrallo, and Castellers de Sant Pere i Sant Pau - perform a warm-up with towers. Then, in order of seniority, each team raises its pillar and begins the 500-meter route, which lasts between 10 and 15 minutes, until reaching the City Hall.
The challenges and emotions of the Walking Pillars through the Part Alta
What are the main risks of this exercise?
The difficulty of keeping the pillar moving and on stairs means that the route is not always completed without incidents. In more than one edition, some team has experienced collapses just meters from the finish line, generating very intense tension and emotion among the castellers and the audience.
What importance does this event have for the city?
The Walking Pillars are the most anticipated and photographed moment during Santa Tecla. The participation of the four local teams and the uniqueness of the event attract hundreds of people to the Part Alta, making this act an icon of Tarragonian identity and culture.
The end of the Festival: the Correfoc that closes Santa Tecla
When and where is the Correfoc held?
After the Walking Pillars, already at night, the Correfoc arrives, which runs along Rambla Nova amid fire and gunpowder, offering a vibrant show that puts the final touch on ten days of major festival.
Why is the Correfoc essential at Santa Tecla?
The Correfoc is a deeply rooted tradition in Tarragona that combines emotion and spectacle. It is the event that culminates the festival, complementing the effort and tension of the Pillars with the festivity and popular celebration that characterize Santa Tecla.
To experience the full event, you can consult the complete guide to Santa Tecla 2026, the article about the four teams, and the details of the Correfoc.
With the Walking Pillars, Tarragona shows its casteller essence and the passion for traditions that make the Santa Tecla major festival unique.
We follow this tradition closely, which year after year reaffirms Tarragona’s role as capital of the Camp de Tarragona and a casteller benchmark in the territory.
