The best bullfighters have passed through the sand of the bullring of Granada. In the albero of the Nasrid bullring, legendary figures such as Chicuelo, the Litri either RomeroThe bullfighting tradition is palpable in the atmosphere every May, as the Corpus Christi Fair approaches.
The bullring of Granada has become a reference in bullfighting, even if It is neither the first nor the only square that the Nasrid capital had.The first bullring in the city of the Alhambra was built between 1768 and 1769, but a fire in 1876 completely destroyed it. A new bullring was quickly built and was active until 1948, when it was closed due to its deplorable state.
Meanwhile, the current bullring in Granada was built in 1928, following the philosophy with which Joselito el Gallo built the disappeared Monumental of Seville. Thus, the intention is that the new bullring in Granada will be larger than the previous ones and thus be able to lower the price of tickets.
Why is it called Monumental de Frascuelo?
It was precisely because of the Gallic influence that the development of the new bullring in Granada quickly earned it the name Monumental, like its Sevillian namesake. However, one of its main driving forces was José Moreno “Lagartijillo Chico”. This bullfighter from Granada did not hide his bullfighting predilection for another bullfighter from the province: Salvador Sánchez Povedano “Frascuelo”.
Frascuelo was one of the most important figures in bullfighting at the end of the 19th century. He had a famous rivalry with Lagartijo and Guerrita and is considered one of the architects of the first bullfighting revolution.
Frascuelo arrives to kill
Thus, from its beginnings, the bullring of Granada was known as Monumental de Frascuelo. In this way, it became tribute to a famous man from Granada who became one of the most important bullfighters in history.
The first bullfight in the bullring of Granada
The current bullring in Granada was inaugurated, as could not be otherwise, with a bullfight that took place on September 30, 1928. The cattle of Concha y Sierra were fought for the matadors. Manuel Jiménez “Chicuelo”, Joaquín Rodriguez “Cagancho” And Fermín Espinosa “Armilita Chico”.
To celebrate such an event, the Monumental de Frascuelo presented a full house. In addition, the Granada composer Francisco Alonso composed a pasodoble for the occasion: Graná and my weapon. Tumbaguito, weighing 341 kilos, was the first bull fought in the bullring of GranadaThe task was carried out by Chicuelo.
