{"id":3872,"date":"2015-04-06T09:46:34","date_gmt":"2015-04-06T08:46:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tarragonaexperience.com\/2015\/04\/06\/albert-grau-some-spots-in-tarragona-would-make-our-eyes-water-if-we-had-to-travel-10000km-to-see-them\/"},"modified":"2015-04-06T09:46:34","modified_gmt":"2015-04-06T08:46:34","slug":"albert-grau-some-spots-in-tarragona-would-make-our-eyes-water-if-we-had-to-travel-10000km-to-see-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tarragonaexperience.com\/en\/2015\/04\/06\/albert-grau-some-spots-in-tarragona-would-make-our-eyes-water-if-we-had-to-travel-10000km-to-see-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Albert Grau: \u201cSome spots in Tarragona would make our eyes water if we had to travel 10,000Km to see them\u2026\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"IMG_0228\"<\/a><\/p>\n

April\u2019s #lamevatarragona<\/strong> character, talking about his personal Tarragona<\/strong>, works as an administrator and has been a member of one of the most legendary bands in the city, the so-called Mi-te\u2019ls<\/strong>. We agree to meet him at Esperidi\u00f3 Square<\/strong>. First clue; and is a very conclusive one. The square named after a true castells<\/em> legend in Tarragona<\/strong> (Jaume Tarrag\u00f3 i Plana<\/strong>) in the 19th century, who was part of the quatre de nou<\/em> tower erected by Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls<\/strong> opposite Tarragona Cathedral<\/strong> in 1881\u2019s Santa Tecla festivity<\/strong>, is one of the most intimate and personal spots for Albert Grau Valls<\/strong>, casteller in Colla Jove Xiquets de Tarragona<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Pla\u00e7a<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the first spot I\u2019ve chosen, the Esperidi\u00f3 Square, at the top of C\u00f3s del Bou Street, by the Roman Circus. The reason why I chose it is because this is the place I grown up as a person. Of course, this is where the Colla Jove premises are located, and so I\u2019ve been in this place since the 80s. I\u2019ve seen the street and indeed the whole neighbourhood go through a deep transformation process, which explains why I feel like at home when I come here. If there is a place that somehow defines me, this will be the area that comprises C\u00f3s del Bou Street, Esperidi\u00f3 Square and Baixada de la Peixateria, which comes to sum up what is known as the ciy\u2019s fet casteller (everything related to castells). I really feel like at home<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"Passeig<\/a><\/p>\n

The second spot pictured by Albert<\/strong> is the promenade that joins the city and Arrabassada<\/strong> beach. \u201cThe sea is vital to me. And this promenade is where runners and sportspeople like to go. Staring at the sunrise or sunset from here is just incredible. Running along the coastline, by the sea, is fantastic, and it takes me to those places that would make our eyes water if we had to travel 10,000Km to see them. And it is something we\u2019ve got right here<\/em>\u201d. <\/p>\n

\"Pla\u00e7a<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Pla\u00e7a<\/a><\/p>\n

His third choice is yet another historical spot in the city linked to castells, Les Cols Square<\/strong>. Albert<\/strong> however, takes us to a very precise corner. \u201cI chose this corner near Gallo Mor\u00f3n because here\u2019s where those taking part in castells gather before every performance. Back when I was cap de colla (the leader) we would also come her to make any decisions\u2026 It is a place that has seen a lot of tension, nervousness, the place where we laugh, but also cry, and all this, added to the square\u2019s history, the place where some legendary castells where erected, makes it so special that I get emotional every time I come nearby<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"Interior<\/a><\/p>\n

In order to complete the circuit, we ask Albert<\/strong> to go into the premises where he grew up as a casteller to tell us what these 4 walls mean to him. \u201cColla Jove\u2019s rehearsal building is located right in the middle of the city\u2019s old part. It was a fish market originally. We are now in the right side of Major Street, which used to be the fishermen\u2019s area. Years ago, boats would moor down here, in Miracle beach, not in the port as they do today, since this didn\u2019t exist as it is now. And when colles (castells groups) would come here to perform, fishermen would stay on the right side of the street while farmers would stay on the left side. It then became the firemen\u2019s headquarters, and it was then abandoned for some years, right until the 80s, when we got them back from the City Council. Here\u2019s we we\u2019ve rehearsed some 6, 7, 8, 9 and now 10-store towers, and I\u2019ve been luck enough to take part in all of them. This is my home. This is where I\u2019ve become a casteller, cap de colla, president\u2026 I know every corner in the building, back when I was young and foolish, and now that I a grown-up.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n