SALAMANCA BULLFIGHTING MUSEUM
40 minutes
The Bullfighting Museum has become a reference point for discovering the world of the fighting bull, the dehesa, and Salamanca's bull ranches. It is also a tribute to the great bullfighters from this land, such as Julio Robles, El Viti, and El Niño de la Capea. It combines tradition and modernity through its exhibited collections: bullfighter suits, bullfighting artifacts, and an interesting collection of contemporary art related to the world of bullfighting.
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Free visit price
- Individual - 3.00 €
- Jubilados - 2.00 €
- Estudiantes - 2.00 €
- Grupos (Número mínimo: 20) - 1.50 €
The Salamanca Bullfighting Museum was created by the "Helmántica" Federation of Bullfighting Fan Clubs of Salamanca. The federation was founded in 1989 with the purpose of integrating the various bullfighter fan clubs from Salamanca that existed in the province at that time. It was established with the aim of recognizing the bullfighting tradition and the bullfighters of Salamanca.
The museum was inaugurated on December 29, 1993. In 1995, it was named the "Primitivo Sánchez Laso" Salamanca Bullfighting Museum in homage to the person who, for many years, presided over the Salamanca Bullfighting Fan Club. Subsequently, in 2014, it was incorporated into the Castilla y León Museum Network. Its management is currently overseen by the Salamanca City Council through Turismo, Comercio y Promoción Económica de Salamanca, S.A.U. The current museum presentation is the result of the remodeling carried out in 2017.
The collection of objects and artworks at the Bullfighting Museum has been formed thanks to assignments and donations from institutions such as the Salamanca City Council, but, above all, the pieces have been donated by bullfighters, bull breeders, artists, and bullfighting enthusiasts.
The museum was inaugurated on December 29, 1993. In 1995, it was named the "Primitivo Sánchez Laso" Salamanca Bullfighting Museum in homage to the person who, for many years, presided over the Salamanca Bullfighting Fan Club. Subsequently, in 2014, it was incorporated into the Castilla y León Museum Network. Its management is currently overseen by the Salamanca City Council through Turismo, Comercio y Promoción Económica de Salamanca, S.A.U. The current museum presentation is the result of the remodeling carried out in 2017.
The collection of objects and artworks at the Bullfighting Museum has been formed thanks to assignments and donations from institutions such as the Salamanca City Council, but, above all, the pieces have been donated by bullfighters, bull breeders, artists, and bullfighting enthusiasts.
ROOM I.- WELCOME
ROOM II.- THE DEHESA AND THE BREEDING OF THE FIGHTING BULL
This space showcases the importance of fighting bull ranches in biodiversity conservation and the provincial economy.
Salamanca is the province with the largest number of bull ranches, around a hundred, which gives an idea of its significance in the provincial economy.
Since ancient times, Salamanca has been a privileged area for breeding fighting bulls thanks to the existence of those peculiar ecosystems known as dehesas, mainly the Campo Charro. The abundant pastures and woodlands of holm oaks and oaks, along with ponds and small streams, constitute the perfect habitat for the fighting bull. The dehesa of holm oaks and oaks represents a unique model of exploitation and sustainable use of natural resources. In these lands, humankind has learned to coexist with nature. For millennia, it has been transformed and wisely exploited, and preserved for future generations.
Currently, many of these bull ranches have opened their doors to sustainable tourism. Visitors can see the fighting bull in its natural habitat, learn about the breeding and selection process of the bulls, and enjoy unique landscapes where people feel connected to nature.
ROOM III. SALAMANCA'S BULLFIGHTING HISTORY. FAIR, BULLRING AND SCHOOLS
Here, visitors delve into Salamanca's bullfighting tradition. Some of the topics covered in this room are:
• The Salamanca bullfighting fair is held every year in September. It coincides with the Fairs and Festivals of Virgen de la Vega, patron saint of Salamanca. The September fairs embody the great cattle-raising and bullfighting tradition that Salamanca has always had. In addition to the bullfighting events held in the already century-old La Glorieta Bullring, the Agricultural Fair is held annually at the Fairgrounds, a successor to the old livestock fairs that were so renowned nationwide.
• This section provides information about the three bullrings built in Salamanca in the second half of the 19th century, with special attention to the last of them, the La Glorieta Bullring.
• Since 1985, Salamanca has had a Bullfighting School, run by the Provincial Council. It trains picadors, bullfighter's assistants ("mozos de espada"), novice bullfighters ("novilleros"), and bullfighters. More than a thousand students have passed through it, a large number of whom have taken the alternativa (professional debut) and achieved their dream of becoming bullfighters.
ROOM IV.- BULLFIGHTING SUITS COLLECTION
The Bullfighting Museum houses a collection of over 42 suits and garments related to the bullfighting world. The "trajes de luces" (suits of lights), which form the largest group, are particularly noteworthy. additionally, Goyesque suits, short suits, as well as outfits for banderilleros and picadors, are exhibited, all generously donated by their owners.
ROOM V. BULLFIGHTERS OF SALAMANCA
Three great figures of bullfighting occupy a prominent place within the room dedicated to Salamanca's bullfighters.
• El Viti Space: a room dedicated to Santiago Martín Sánchez, the celebrated matador from Vitigudino, one of the most important bullfighters in the history of bullfighting. The objects displayed in this room were donated to the museum by Santiago Martín “el Viti” and by numerous enthusiasts.
• El Niño de la Capea Room: a room in homage to the Salamanca bullfighter Pedro Gutiérrez Moya, better known as El Niño de la Capea. The objects displayed in this room were donated by Pedro Moya.
• Julio Robles Room: a room dedicated to this outstanding bullfighter, where some of his suits, trophies, and personal objects can be found. He was named Honorary Member of the Salamanca Federation of Bullfighting Fan Clubs, where his entire legacy is deposited.
ROOM VI. THE BULL AND CULTURE
Through the numerous works exhibited here, the influence of bullfighting on culture and art is showcased. It mainly consists of paintings, photographs, and sculptures from donations made by enthusiasts:
• Primarily, these are bullfighting-themed paintings.
• Collection of sculptures made of bronze, steel wire, and wrought iron.
• Numerous photographs of bullfighters and bullfighting events.
• Collection of posters announcing bullfights and novice bullfights.
ROOM VII.- AUDIOVISUAL ON THE SALAMANCA DEHESA AND DISPLAY OF SMALL OBJECTS
ROOM II.- THE DEHESA AND THE BREEDING OF THE FIGHTING BULL
This space showcases the importance of fighting bull ranches in biodiversity conservation and the provincial economy.
Salamanca is the province with the largest number of bull ranches, around a hundred, which gives an idea of its significance in the provincial economy.
Since ancient times, Salamanca has been a privileged area for breeding fighting bulls thanks to the existence of those peculiar ecosystems known as dehesas, mainly the Campo Charro. The abundant pastures and woodlands of holm oaks and oaks, along with ponds and small streams, constitute the perfect habitat for the fighting bull. The dehesa of holm oaks and oaks represents a unique model of exploitation and sustainable use of natural resources. In these lands, humankind has learned to coexist with nature. For millennia, it has been transformed and wisely exploited, and preserved for future generations.
Currently, many of these bull ranches have opened their doors to sustainable tourism. Visitors can see the fighting bull in its natural habitat, learn about the breeding and selection process of the bulls, and enjoy unique landscapes where people feel connected to nature.
ROOM III. SALAMANCA'S BULLFIGHTING HISTORY. FAIR, BULLRING AND SCHOOLS
Here, visitors delve into Salamanca's bullfighting tradition. Some of the topics covered in this room are:
• The Salamanca bullfighting fair is held every year in September. It coincides with the Fairs and Festivals of Virgen de la Vega, patron saint of Salamanca. The September fairs embody the great cattle-raising and bullfighting tradition that Salamanca has always had. In addition to the bullfighting events held in the already century-old La Glorieta Bullring, the Agricultural Fair is held annually at the Fairgrounds, a successor to the old livestock fairs that were so renowned nationwide.
• This section provides information about the three bullrings built in Salamanca in the second half of the 19th century, with special attention to the last of them, the La Glorieta Bullring.
• Since 1985, Salamanca has had a Bullfighting School, run by the Provincial Council. It trains picadors, bullfighter's assistants ("mozos de espada"), novice bullfighters ("novilleros"), and bullfighters. More than a thousand students have passed through it, a large number of whom have taken the alternativa (professional debut) and achieved their dream of becoming bullfighters.
ROOM IV.- BULLFIGHTING SUITS COLLECTION
The Bullfighting Museum houses a collection of over 42 suits and garments related to the bullfighting world. The "trajes de luces" (suits of lights), which form the largest group, are particularly noteworthy. additionally, Goyesque suits, short suits, as well as outfits for banderilleros and picadors, are exhibited, all generously donated by their owners.
ROOM V. BULLFIGHTERS OF SALAMANCA
Three great figures of bullfighting occupy a prominent place within the room dedicated to Salamanca's bullfighters.
• El Viti Space: a room dedicated to Santiago Martín Sánchez, the celebrated matador from Vitigudino, one of the most important bullfighters in the history of bullfighting. The objects displayed in this room were donated to the museum by Santiago Martín “el Viti” and by numerous enthusiasts.
• El Niño de la Capea Room: a room in homage to the Salamanca bullfighter Pedro Gutiérrez Moya, better known as El Niño de la Capea. The objects displayed in this room were donated by Pedro Moya.
• Julio Robles Room: a room dedicated to this outstanding bullfighter, where some of his suits, trophies, and personal objects can be found. He was named Honorary Member of the Salamanca Federation of Bullfighting Fan Clubs, where his entire legacy is deposited.
ROOM VI. THE BULL AND CULTURE
Through the numerous works exhibited here, the influence of bullfighting on culture and art is showcased. It mainly consists of paintings, photographs, and sculptures from donations made by enthusiasts:
• Primarily, these are bullfighting-themed paintings.
• Collection of sculptures made of bronze, steel wire, and wrought iron.
• Numerous photographs of bullfighters and bullfighting events.
• Collection of posters announcing bullfights and novice bullfights.
ROOM VII.- AUDIOVISUAL ON THE SALAMANCA DEHESA AND DISPLAY OF SMALL OBJECTS