By Musée des Cultures Taurines
Musée des Cultures Taurines
The origins of modern Spanish-style bullfighting
Bullfighting games have been organized since the 11th century in regions where wild bulls were known to exist. In Spain and Italy, noble hunts were transplanted to public squares to celebrate special events.
The chivalric bullfighting
In Spain, these fights involved horsemen, and their confrontations with bulls was intended to improve their military virtues of bravery, agility, and strength. They were restricted to the aristocracy and enjoyed their heyday between the 16th and 17th centuries.
Majo by AnonymeMusée des Cultures Taurines
The rise of bullfighting on foot
In the early 18th century, with the arrival of the Bourbon dynasty on the Spanish throne, who were not keen on these shows, the decline of the chivalric bullfighting gave way to the rise of the bullfighting on foot, which already existed among the masses.
Portrait de Pepe Hillo ([ca] 1850) by Eugenio Lucas Y VelázquezMusée des Cultures Taurines
The end of the 18th century marked the emergence of modern bullfighting and the praising of the first great bullfighters, like Costillares, Pepe Hillo, Pedro Romero, while the first important breeding of Spanish fighting bulls (toros bravos) were established.
An iconic show of the 19th century Spain
Established in South America in the 16th century, bullfighting today is performed in Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador. Portugal emerged as the true home of horseback bullfighting.
The bullfight also crossed the Pyrenees mountains: the first Spanish-style bullfight took place on August 1, 1853 in Bayonne.
Courses de taureaux dans les Arènes de Nîmes par la quadrille d'El Tato, le 10 mai 1863 (1863) by A. Deroy, C. Maurand, and JouvinMusée des Cultures Taurines
Nîmes, a major bullfighting center
While the first Spanish-style bull race was organized in the Nîmes amphitheater in 1853, it wasn't until 10 years later, in May 1863, that bullfighting really emerged. Since then, bullfights take place every year in the Roman amphitheater.
Arènes de Nîmes, 1960 (1960) by Velasco (Torerias) (Madrid) and SaavedraMusée des Cultures Taurines
In 1952, Nîmes launched its first feria, a bullfighting festival
Since the 1980s, the city has become a major player on the ferias calendar, thanks to its Pentecost and Grape Harvest fairs.
Feria de Nîmes, Fêtes de Pentecôte, 23-24-25 mai 1953 (1853) by Paul AujoulatMusée des Cultures Taurines
Today, Nîmes, also known as the French Madrid, is considered the most important French bullring due to its capacity (14,122 seats) and the number of bullfighting shows held there.
Arènes de Nîmes. Corrida du 17 septembre 2021. José María Manzanares fils (2021-09-17) by Christine NuelMusée des Cultures Taurines
Se positionnant vers l’avenir, les Arènes de Nîmes sont devenues le temple de l’alternative, cérémonie qui permet au jeune novillero d’accéder au rang de matador de toros.
Bullfighting stars and fans
Bullfighters on foot like José Tomás, El Juli, José María Manzanares, Enrique Ponce, Sébastien Castella, Juan Bautista, Morante de la Puebla, Javier Conde, Miguel Ángel Perera, as well as bullfighters on horseback such as Pable Hermoso de Mendoza, Diego Ventura or the Frenchwoman Léa Vicens, are among the performers.
Highlights of life in Nîmes
The ferias attract an ever-growing public of aficionados, as well as tourists and onlookers who enjoy the festive atmosphere of the bodegas—wine bars where people can sing, dance, and party all night long. The positive economic consequences are undeniable.
Projet d'affiche by Alain ClémentMusée des Cultures Taurines
Réalisation : Musée des Cultures Taurines
Chef de projet : Camille Dubois
Conservation : Lisa Laborie-Barrière
Coordination : Isabelle Morfin, Gilles Raoux, Jean-Marie Mercier
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