Julio Robles

Julio Robles is a monument in Salamanca honoring one of the region's most celebrated bullfighters, standing at the entrance to the city's bullring. Positioned right next to a sculpture of fellow matador El Viti, it has become a quiet but meaningful stop for visitors curious about Salamanca's bullfighting heritage.

Who was Julio Robles?

Avelino Julio Robles Hernández was born on December 4, 1951, in Fontiveros, in the province of Ávila, but it was Salamanca where he built his life — living in the city and running his own bull-breeding ranch. He began his bullfighting career in 1968 in Villavieja de Yeltes and made his debut with picadors two years later in Lérida. A turning point came in 1972, when he appeared in Madrid alongside El Niño de la Capea. Over the following years he left through the main gate of Las Ventas bullring three times — in 1983, 1985, and 1989 — an honor considered among the highest a bullfighter can achieve.

Robles's career came to an abrupt and tragic end in 1990, when he was severely gored by a bull during a fight in Béziers, France, leaving him with a life-altering loss of motor function. Despite this, he stayed connected to the world of bullfighting as a cattle breeder until his death in Salamanca on January 14, 2001, at the age of 49.

What will you see at the monument?

The sculpture of Julio Robles, created by sculptor Salvador Amaya, stands at La Glorieta, right outside the entrance to the Plaza de Toros de La Glorieta, Salamanca's bullring. The monument depicts the bullfighter in a characteristic pose and forms part of a small ensemble honoring local matadors, alongside the nearby sculpture of El Viti. It's a modest site without any tourist infrastructure, but it carries genuine emotional weight for locals, for whom Robles remains a symbol of courage and lifelong devotion to his adopted city despite personal tragedy.

How do you get there?

The monument stands at the Plaza de Toros de La Glorieta, in an easily accessible part of Salamanca close to the historic center. It's a short walk of about fifteen minutes from Plaza Mayor, and city buses also serve the area. The bullring's surroundings make a good starting point for a further stroll along the banks of the River Tormes.

When should you visit?

The best time to visit is mid-January, when the city council and the Federación de Peñas Taurinas hold an annual tribute at the monument on the anniversary of Robles's death, with flowers laid by the mayor and the bullfighter's family and music performed at La Glorieta. Outside of this event, the monument sits in open public space and can be visited freely at any time of year, with no set hours.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Julio Robles and why does he have a monument in Salamanca? He was a Spanish bullfighter closely tied to Salamanca, known for three Puertas Grandes at Madrid's Las Ventas bullring. After a 1990 accident left him with severely reduced mobility, he remained in the city as a bull breeder until his death in 2001.

Where exactly is the monument located? At the entrance to the Plaza de Toros de La Glorieta, next to the sculpture of fellow matador El Viti.

Is there an entrance fee to see the monument? No, the sculpture stands in an open public space and can be viewed free of charge at any time.

Is it worth combining with other nearby attractions? Yes — the area around the bullring borders the banks of the River Tormes, making it a convenient stop on a walking route connecting Salamanca's historic center with the green spaces along the river.