The bullfighting tradition in Catalonia has been consigned to the past with the passage of a recent bill outlawing the activity. From January 1, 2012, the legislation approved by the Catalan parliament comes into effect and bullfighting in Catalonia will become illegal.
Which is not to say that the legislation will make a huge impact. Nowadays there is only one active bullring left in Catalonia. It is to be found in Barcelona and is frequented by relatively small groups of foreign tourists keen to see a real corrida before they fly home. Bullfighting in Catalonia is now effectively, and legally, an abandoned tradition.
Several Catalan cities have demolished their bullrings, while others have decided to transform theirs into new spaces. In Barcelona, the old bullring in Plaça Espanya is being turned into a giant shopping centre, as well as the site for the new Rock and Roll Museum of Barcelona.
In Tarragona, the bullring was better known in its final years for hosting the annual Castells contest. Every year, the best colles castelleres would gather and compete in building their human towers.
After major restoration work, Tarragona’s old bullring, which was built in 1883, is now the all-new Tarraco Arena Plaça (TAP), ready to host concerts, plays, and – of course – the Castells contest.
The result, after five years and 18 million euros, is spectacular, as can be seen in the photo. A huge 40-metre, 1,000-tonne, retractable dome completely covers the arena. Tarragona is hoping to be chosen as European Capital of Culture in 2016 and to host the Mediterranean Games in 2017. The new TAP is ready to be one of the main venues. Without any bulls.
