account Zaragoza Bullring
Visit the Colorful Zaragoza Bullring
The Zaragoza Bullring is the second oldest first-class bullring in Spain, with a capacity of 10,072 people.
Visiting the Zaragoza Bullring is a great plan if you're staying at one of our B&B HOTELS located in the old town of Zaragoza. Among them, the B&B HOTEL Zaragoza Centro, which is a 27-minute walk away. Upon entering, this square stands out for its colorful facade, a neo-Mudéjar construction from the early 20th century that holds much of Aragon's history inside. The first bullring in Zaragoza was built in the 18th century thanks to the initiative of Ramón Pignatelli, in order to subsidize the Hospital and the house of La Misericordia, of which he was the director.
It is also known as the Coso de la Misericordia due to its connection with the Real Casa de la Misericordia, which was largely maintained thanks to the profits obtained from bullfighting events. Originally, it was a wooden ring that was replaced by another built with brick and stone in the 19th century. In 1916, the most important renovation was carried out, giving it its current appearance, increasing the capacity of the ring and equipping it with a porch and ambulatory during the "golden age of bullfighting."
It is the first bullring in Spain to have a roof, fixed over the stands and mobile over the arena. This Teflon closure has allowed for the diversification of the bullring's functions. The mobile roof has made it possible to hold, in addition to traditional bullfights, other types of events such as concerts, parties, or more than one festival. In addition to the roof, an auxiliary building was also constructed in 1989, housing a hospital block with an operating room and a multipurpose area that is usually used as press rooms or for events.
This bullring is known in the province of Zaragoza for being an emblematic setting for bullfights. And it stands out especially for the celebration of its famous rejoneo (mounted bullfighting) bullfight.
Where the Coso de la Misericordia Is Located
The Zaragoza Bullring is located at the confluence of Vicente Gómez Salvo and Ramon Pignatelli streets, between Plaza del Portillo and the Pignatelli Building. The facades of the Bullring are composed of three levels, each formed by galleries with semicircular arches. Its interior can only be accessed when there are bullfights or other acts or events with advance ticket sales at the box office or reservations through its official website.
Another point of interest is the vast fields where the bulls are raised and prepared for the bullfights. Additionally, the Bullring has charming corners that invite you to get lost in its corridors and galleries. The main gate of the square, located on Vicente Gómez Salvo street, is worth seeing. And its arena has a diameter of 48 meters.
Celebrations That Take Place at the Zaragoza Bullring
The Zaragoza Bullring has been the stage, in its more than two and a half centuries of history, for bullfights, vaquillas (young cow events), novilladas (novice bullfights), recortadores (dodging bullfighters), bullfighting festivals, political rallies, and massive concerts. With the capacity to hold thousands of spectators, its rows fill during the exciting bullfights that take place there. Among the celebrations, the popular Feria Taurina del Pilar stands out, with posters featuring the most famous bullfighters of each season. Moreover, the Zaragoza ring has seen the main figures of bullfighting of all time pass through it.
In the month of October, the most important bullfights of the year take place, the aforementioned Feria Taurina del Pilar is celebrated, coinciding with the city's festivities in honor of the patron saint. During the Fiestas del Pilar, the Zaragoza Bullring is also a major protagonist of the popular festivities, with the vaquillas as the epicenter of the festive program early in the morning.
Curious Facts About the Zaragoza Bullring
The original wooden ring was built in just 70 days and was inaugurated on October 8, 1764, at the initiative of Ramón Pignatelli.
At the 1990 Feria del Pilar, its famous mobile roof was inaugurated, capable of opening or closing in just a few seconds. This ring was the setting for the first bullfight in Spain that was held on May 12, 1927, to commemorate the death of Francisco de Goya. The chronicles of that time relate that the motive for this bullfight in his honor was born from Goya's devotion to the world of bullfighting.
Francisco de Goya attended the inaugural bullfights of the ring in 1764, along with Francisco Bayeu. And, in fact, Goya's engravings "Tauromaquia" depict the figure of Martincho, an important bullfighter in his time, who impressed the painter in Zaragoza.
In addition to the Bullring, you can visit great tourist attractions of the city of Zaragoza nearby, such as Plaza del Pilar, the Pilar Cathedral, Teatro Principal, el Auditorio de Zaragoza, el Goya Museum, el Tubo, la Plaza de España, el Mercado Central, el Parque Grande o la excursión al Monasterio de Piedra.
Are you looking for a hotel in Zaragoza for your next trip? In that case, we have three welcoming B&B HOTELS in Zaragoza esperándote para disfrutar al máximo tu estancia en la capital aragonesa a precios asequibles.
Te sentirás como en casa desde el momento de tu llegada a cualquier B&B HOTELS. ¡Te esperamos!
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