Ronda, Spain

Whoa! Pretty high up here – Ronda, Spain!

Ronda has the largest bullfighting ring in Spain. Ernest Hemingway and Olson Welles both came to watch the fights, now held here 3 times a year. Matadors have an entourage of 2 picadors on horseback, 3 banditeros and 1 moto or page who helps the matador with everything from getting dressed, changing capes, choosing swords. bugles sound between each of the 3 stages of the fight; showing off the bull’s abilities to swing and charge; lancing the bull to injure him in the large muscle behind the head (from face on) then after the pics comes the final kill that should pierce the heart on the first try. It is during the last phase that music sounds, crowds are engaged and on their feet hailing “Olay”! If the show has pleased the president/royalty who are in their special seats; he will wave a white flag. The matador ears an ear or maybe two for his bravery! the bull is rarely spared save times when the animal has showed such a fight as to be returned to his farm – remember Ferdinand smelling flowers in the pasture?

It’s my understanding that the fights are still about honor, pageantry, bravery and ritual – originally a way to prepare for military battle. It was here in Ronda that the family of Ernesto and then grandson Pedro Romero formalized the rules and the barbarian practice became a ritualized activity.

Below the pix show where bulls are kept for 3 days before run down the maze of chutes thru iron doors to a holding box where they wait – or fight to get out – of a dark holding stall. By the time he gets to the ring, he’s furious! A bull weights 1,000-1400 pounds!