Welcome to the Antequera Bullring, an arena that is an essential part of Andalusian bullfighting tradition and, at the same time, a living witness to the history and culture of our city. On this page, we want to bring you closer to the characteristics that make this venue unique, its trajectory since the mid-19th century, and the events that have made it an essential meeting point for bullfighting enthusiasts and for those who simply want to learn more about Antequera.
Information about the Antequera Bullring
History
The construction of the arena began in 1847, driven by the Antequera Bullring Construction Society, which had acquired the plot where the building now stands a year earlier. The works, first directed by Manuel García del Álamo and later continued by Rafael Mitjana, were completed in time for the bullring to open its doors on August 20, 1848, with a lineup featuring José Redondo “El Chiclanero” and Juan Pastor “El Barbero” fighting bulls from the Picavea ranch.
That construction was carried out with some urgency: the upper stands were built of wood as a provisional solution, and they remained that way for more than a century. It was not until 1980, when the Antequera City Council acquired ownership of the arena, that a comprehensive transformation, both interior and exterior, was planned, with facade works beginning in 1984.
Architecture and Features
A circular arena measuring 56 meters in the ring and 80 meters in outer diameter, distributed over two floors with eleven staircases and eight access points. Its facade combines exposed brick and white lime, with a main shaded entrance from the 1980s inspired by 18th-century Antequera master builders. Inside, stands, corrals, pens, and a church—an unusual element in a Spanish bullring—complete the enclosure. Its architecture has also served as a setting for international audiovisual productions.
Seating Capacity
The bullring has a capacity for 8,268 spectators, distributed among barrera, contrabarrera, tendido, and andanada seats, in addition to the boxes located on the upper floor. It is classified as a third-category bullring within the Spanish bullfighting hierarchy.
Events and Versatility of the Venue
The Antequera bullring is, above all, the setting for the Spring Fair and the Royal August Fair, the latter featuring the traditional Goyesca Bullfight as its central event. But the venue is not limited to bullfighting: throughout the year, it has also hosted concerts, audiovisual productions, and cultural and institutional activities, a versatility that keeps the building active beyond fair dates.
Inside, there is also the Permanent Exhibition of Bullfighting Art, with pieces, costumes, and documentation that allow visitors to learn firsthand about the history of this arena and bullfighting in Antequera, turning a visit to the bullring into an experience that goes beyond the day of the bullfight.
