The Plaza de Toros de Valencia, far beyond bullfighting
The Valencia Bullring is one of the most important in Spain.
Declared an Asset of Cultural Interest and Historical Heritage of Spain, it represents a part of the country’s history and is much more than a bullring, it is a great monument.
In the square we can see a clear influence on the Flavian amphitheater, the Roman Colosseum. We can say that its style is neoclassical and follows a neo-Mudejar style, an artistic and architectural style that emerged in the Iberian Peninsula at the end of the 19th century.
Visit the Valencia Bullring
The bullring is located near one of the most important wall gates in the city, Ruzafa. At the time of its construction, the square was completely on the outskirts of Valencia, but today it is the very center.
In the building we can see the widespread use of brick and wood.
It has a diameter of 52 meters in the center (which was finally reduced), an outside diameter of 108 meters and a capacity for almost 13,000 people, although it once held 17,000.
With these large dimensions, despite its reduction, in one of the largest and most imposing squares in all of Spain. The square was inaugurated in 1859.
A service that the bullring offers and that is highly recommended is the Bullfighting Museum where we can witness the evolution and history of bullfighting from the 18th century to the 21st century. The museum was founded in 1929 when, thanks to donations, a good number of materials and objects on bullfighting were sent.
History of the Valencia Bullring
Since the Middle Ages it is known that bullfights in Valencia were common. Normally they were not celebrated in a fixed place, but the places varied.
There came a time in the 18th century when there were too many people trying to see the bullfights and the small squares that were set up were not enough to accommodate so many people who wanted to enjoy the show.
It should also be noted that there were public order problems as thieves took advantage of the holidays to break in to steal.
For this reason they decided to make a fixed place for bullfights. The construction of the first square was before the War of Independence but it was demolished so that the French troops would not occupy it and form a barracks. When the war was over, the construction of a large bullring was once again considered.
The first square that was thought to be built was colossal with more than 462 meters in diameter and with a capacity for 20,000 people. However, the ambitious project quickly fizzled out as they continued to face numerous security issues and lack of budget. Finally, the Plaza de Toros as we know it today, arrived in 1859.
