PhD Program in Historical studies
Béjar and Campofrío
That of Béjar has been considered for a long time the oldest plaza of Spain, and although others have been found to be older, it remains one of the best examples of the first buildings erected permanently to host bullfights. The history of this structure began in 1667 when members of the Brotherhood of the Virgen del Castañar asked for permission to bring some bulls to the hill which had the same name as a convent to celebrate the feast of the patron saint of Béjar. This permission was denied by the Duchess Teresa Sarmiento de la Cerda, the mother of the Duke of Béjar, Manuel de Zúñiga and at the time regent. The permission denied by the grandmother was given forty years later, in 1707, by Duke Juan Manuel de Zúñiga to celebrate the birth of the Infante, the Prince of Asturias and future king, Louis IThe eldest son of Philip V and his first wife Maria Luisa of Savoy, Louis of Bourbon (1707-1724) was king of Spain for just seven months: from his father’s abdication in his favour (15 January 1724) until his untimely death from smallpox. Philip V had to return to the throne.. The success of the spectacle persuaded the Duke to grant the approval in 1711 so that the wooden square used on that occasion be replaced with a permanent one in stone. The first structure was square but in the middle of the nineteenth century, it was remodeled to make it circular, although traces remain of the ancient structure in the stands, and has a capacity of about 4,200 spectators.
The square of Campofrío (Huelva) was built by the Brotherhood of Saint James. Among the few documents in the local archive that escaped the looting of the civil war, there is one, dated 1716, in which the majordomo of the association demanded the authorities for permission to have it built. In the same year construction began and the square was inaugurated on 25 July 1718. It was restored on three occasions in 1936, 1977 and 2002. In 2004, archaeological studies were conducted to determine the construction techniques and materials used. Research was conducted at the municipal archives of Campofrío, Aracena, Aroche and Almonaster la Real. The plaza has rather simple architecture, it is circular in shape with a double wall of protection, three sets of steps to accommodate about 1,500 spectators. It has two entrances, the main one is also home to the small stage. The reduced capacity contrasts with an ample ruedo, which is due to the original use of the square for bullfights on horseback (rejoneo). It belongs to the association of Plazas de Toros Históricas de España and the Junta de Andalucía has started the paperwork so that it be declared of cultural interest.