Ronda - Plaza de Toros — DANIEL PECENA

Ronda is one of the most visited towns in Spain, renowned for its history, beauty, and dramatic topography, primarily centered around the famous Puente Nuevo bridge. However, there is much more to Ronda than the bridge over the river Guadalevín. One of its culturally rich landmarks is the bullring, Plaza de Toros. Notably, both structures were designed by the same architect.

José Martín de Aldehuela, who completed Puente Nuevo based on the original design by Domingo Lois de Monteagudo, also reconstructed the Málaga Cathedral. Moreover, he designed and built the circular Plaza de Toros, intended to showcase the drama of bullfighting.

Ronda’s Plaza de Toros (built between 1779-1784) was the first arena in Spain where a corrida (bullfight) took place in 1784. During the intense inaugural event, part of the stand collapsed, leading to the building's temporary closure for repairs. Meanwhile, the arena in Sevilla was completed in 1785.

Bullfighting has been a rite of passage for young men throughout history. The bull has been depicted in Spanish Levantine cave paintings as an object of worship for over 7000 years. Bullfights were popular spectacles in ancient Rome, and Mithraism, a religion present throughout the Roman Empire from the 1st to the 4th century, often depicted the god Mithras slaughtering a bull. Arab invaders in Andalusia also adopted bullfighting, which gradually evolved into the Sevilla style.

Local legend tells that the Ronda style of bullfighting originated by accident when a gentleman training on horseback at Ronda’s Philip II Centre for Horsemanship fell off near a bull. Francisco Romero, a bystander, distracted the bull with his hat, inadvertently inventing a new form of bullfighting that resembled a dance with the bull. Previously, all bullfighting took place on horseback. Romero later developed the muleta (red cape) and a variety of sophisticated moves. His grandson, Pedro Romero, continued his legacy and became one of Spain's best bullfighters.

The arena in Ronda is built from local sandstone. Standing inside the rueda (round circle of sand), one can see 136 columns forming 68 arches, creating an expansive and elegant neoclassical space for 5000 spectators, who are also protected from excessive sunlight.

Ritual, performance, drama, and tradition converge to create a controversial spectacle rooted in ancient customs. Today, the arena hosts numerous cultural events, including concerts and equestrian shows, and is open for public viewing.

However, one day each year, it still holds a bullfight during the Feria de Goyesca, an event created by Antonio Ordoñez in honor of Pedro Romero. While the main attraction is the corrida, the event includes much more, such as processions of horse-drawn carriages and townspeople dressed in 18th-century costumes, reminiscent of the era of the famous Spanish painter Francisco de Goya, whose artworks often depicted bullfights.

Plaza de Toros de la Línea de la Concepción