The Ronda style of bullfighting is rumored to have originated by accident in Ronda’s Philip II’s Centre for Horsemanship when a gentleman training on horse was unseated in the path of a bull they used to train officers in horsemanship.
A local man, Francisco Romero distracted the bull on foot using his hat, thus securing both the life of the aristocrat, and inventing a new form of bullfighting perfected by his grandson, Pedro Romero (1754-1839).
See more about the Ronda bullring (Plaza de Toros) here.
Love it or hate it, Pedro Romero turned bullfighting into a dance, and a form of entertainment that requires fitness, perfect balance, and tests a man in ways that the safer horseback style doesn’t. Pedro developed the red cape (the muleto) and a variety of moves to create a spectacle.
Can you watch a bullfight in Ronda?
Rarely! For many years the Ronda bullring has only held one set of bullfights during the Goyesca festival. The rest of the time it is open to the public for viewing its remarkable architecture and museum.
Would you like to visit a fighting bull and Horse Breeding Farm in Ronda?
Reservatoro is a working breeding farm of fighting bulls and pure Andalusian horses, located just 5 km from Ronda. It was created by the bullfighter Rafael Tejada. It is open to the public, giving visitors the opportunity to share in the lives of these fantastic animals throughout all their breeding stages and their fascinating selection process, as well as interact with them.
Bullfighting in history
Interestingly, a lot of people seem to think that the Ronda style of bullfighting is a uniquely Iberian invention of the last couple of centuries, which spread to Central and South American colonies with the conquistadors, in fact fighting bulls has been a rite of passage for young men throughout the Celtic world in pre-Roman times.
After the collapse of the Roman Empire the sport became more established by Visigothic society and rules developed that needed to be followed for a young boy to graduate to manhood. Whilst these traditions have been forgotten, they are no less true for it.
The Arab invaders of Iberia prided themselves on the horsemanship skills and adopted bullfighting as a spectacle in the same way that jousting became a spectacle in medieval times. Moorish bullfighting developed into the modern Sevilla style of bullfighting.
Modern Ronda bullfighting
Pioneered by Francisco Romero, further developed by his son Juan, and perfected by his grandson Pedro. Modern Ronda bullfighting involves a matador who is the real hero of the event, and a team of helpers (the cuadrilla) who tire the bull and direct it to the matador and his cape.
The bull is first goaded and chased by the cuadrilla, then our matador uses his estoque to sever the bulls spinal cord. The final kill is done by another assistant, the cachetero, using a short dagger.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bullfighting In Ronda
It is said that the Ronda style originated by accident at Philip II’s Centre for Horsemanship. When a rider was unseated in the path of a bull, local man Francisco Romero distracted the bull on foot using his hat. This improvised act led to a dramatic new form of bullfighting that evolved from horseback combat to foot-based spectacle.
Francisco Romero initiated the style, followed by his son Juan Romero, and perfected by Pedro Romero (1754–1839). Pedro is credited with formalizing bullfighting as an art, developing the red cape (muleta), refining combat techniques, and fighting over 5,600 bulls without serious injury.
Built in 1785, Plaza de Toros de Ronda is one of the oldest and most architecturally elegant bullrings in Spain. It features 136 columns, Neoclassical design, and was where modern bullfighting was shaped. Despite its modest capacity (5,000 seats), it holds immense cultural weight.
Bullfighting in Ronda is now rare. The ring hosts one symbolic event per year during the Corrida Goyesca, held during the Feria de Pedro Romero. The rest of the year, the venue functions as a museum, offering tours and historical exhibits rather than live fights.
The Corrida Goyesca is a ceremonial bullfight that began in 1954, initiated by Antonio Ordóñez. Matadors wear costumes inspired by Goya’s 18th-century paintings. It’s both a homage to Pedro Romero and a rare blend of tradition, art, and spectacle.
Reservatauro Ronda is a working bull and horse breeding farm created by bullfighter Rafael Tejada. Located 5 km outside Ronda, it offers visitors an immersive experience of bullfighting culture through ethical breeding practices and educational tours, without a fight.
Bullfighting predates modern Spain. Celtic tribes used bull combat as a rite of passage. Under the Visigoths, it evolved with ceremonial rules. When the Moors arrived, they adopted and adapted the practice, which later split into styles including Ronda’s (on foot) and Seville’s (on horseback).
A cuadrilla (support team) weakens and positions the bull. The matador then performs stylized passes with the muleta, showcasing control and artistry. Finally, the matador kills the bull with a sword, and a cachetero ends the fight with a dagger. It’s both ritual and show.
While celebrated for its cultural legacy, bullfighting faces criticism for animal cruelty. The process involves deliberate exhaustion and a prolonged death. Animal rights groups oppose even ceremonial events like the Corrida Goyesca, arguing that cultural preservation doesn’t justify suffering.
Yes. The Plaza de Toros de Ronda now operates mainly as a museum. Visitors can explore the arena, historic stables, bullfighter uniforms, and multimedia exhibits. It’s a way to understand the tradition without witnessing violence.
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