Plaza de Toros Vieja

Plaza de Toros Vieja is the historic, octagonal old bullring of Tarazona, one of the few structures of its kind still standing in Spain in something close to its original form.

Where does this bullring come from?

A group of private landowners built the structure between 1790 and 1792 on what had been the town's common meadow. It opened on the feast day of Saint Atilano, Tarazona's patron saint, in 1792. From the outset the design was unusual: instead of a classic round arena, the builders raised an octagonal ring of 32 townhouses arranged around a shared central courtyard. Each house has a ground floor plus three upper stories, with windows facing outward and broad arches resting on octagonal pillars facing the courtyard.

What will you see on site?

Stepping into the courtyard, it isn't obvious at first that you're standing in a former bullring — it's the arrangement of arches and balconies that gives it away. The balconies of the individual homes once served as private boxes, rented out so residents and visitors could watch the bullfights held below. For decades those arches were bricked up because the building functioned purely as housing. It wasn't until a full restoration in 1998 that the original arches and pillars were uncovered again, letting visitors appreciate the building's unique original layout. The houses are still lived in today, and the courtyard occasionally hosts local cultural events and markets.

Why does this place stand out?

Plaza de Toros Vieja is considered one of the oldest surviving bullrings in Spain and the most original in form — there is no other arena built as a ring of residential townhouses. In 1870 bullfighting moved to a new, larger arena on Avenida de Navarra, and the old building settled into the residential and market role it still holds today. On 14 February 2001 it was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural (a formal cultural heritage designation), confirming its value as an architectural landmark.

How do you get there and when should you visit?

Plaza de Toros Vieja sits right in the historic center of Tarazona, in Zaragoza province, so the easiest way to reach it is on foot while exploring the old town, since it neighbors the city's other landmarks. It pairs well with a visit to the cathedral and the old Jewish quarter. Because part of the courtyard is private residential space, daytime visits work best, when the courtyard is accessible and the light shows off the arches' detail. Local festival dates are also a good time to visit, when cultural events are sometimes staged in the courtyard.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Plaza de Toros Vieja? Yes, the courtyard is open to the public during the day, although the townhouses surrounding it are private homes.

Are bullfights still held here? No — since 1870 corridas have taken place at the newer bullring on Avenida de Navarra, and the old plaza now serves a residential and cultural role.

What makes this bullring unusual? Its octagonal layout made up of 32 townhouses is a one-of-a-kind architectural solution, unlike any other bullring in Spain.

Is the building protected as a heritage site? Yes, it has held Bien de Interés Cultural status since 2001, and it underwent a thorough restoration in 1998 that exposed its original arches.