When in your car route through the province of Valladolid you get to Peñafiel, undoubtedly attracted by his famous castle, maybe you haven't heard of his yet Coso square, whose image is totally similar to that of the castle.
Indeed, the most typical image of Peñafiel castle and the town of Valladolid is what opens this article, with the Coso square in the foreground, and in the background, at the top of the hill, the elongated boat-shaped fortification.
But really see the Plaza del Coso de Peñafiel It more than justifies a visit to this town.
This enormous square-shaped plaza has two entrances, the main one being the passage that opens on its west side.
History of Coso Square
At the top of the passage there is a plaque that reminds us that the Coso square is also known as the Corro square, and specifically since the 16th century it has been called the bull run Well, in fact, it was created in the previous century for the celebration of bullfighting.
When you enter the interior of this large square with the ground covered in sand, and see that it is completely surrounded by two or three-story terraced buildings, with their facades covered with balconies, you really feel that you are inside a bullring.
Then you become curious to know if it is the oldest bullring in Spain.
If you search in Internet Which is considered the oldest bullring in Spain, it seems that, not without controversy, it is that of the Salamanca town of drink the one that has that honor, since its history dates back to 1667. In fact, it is known as The old lady.
But Peñafiel They tell us that the first documents alluding to the Coso square, which was built specifically for the development of bullfighting celebrations, dates back to the year 1443. So, isn't it the oldest?
It doesn't matter, the truth is that when you are in the Coso square you breathe the atmosphere of the long bullfighting tradition in the towns of Spain, and regardless of whether you are for or against the Bullfight, you cannot fail to recognize the value of the Coso as part of our cultural heritage.
And more enjoying the view of the Peñafiel castle To his back.
La Coso square It is made up of 48 buildings built of adobe, stone and wood, and whose facades and balconies are decorated with wood in an arabesque style, which was done during the XNUMXth century.
The doors maintain posts that act as a barrier for the bulls.
Bullfighting celebrations in Plaza del Coso
To see in its splendor Coso square, you must go to Festivities of Our Lady and San Roque which are celebrated every year between August 14 and 18.
An arena is installed in the plaza with its barriers, but not stands, so that during the festivals bullfights take place in which two bulls are released at the same time, one inside the arena and another on the outside of the plaza. .
If you are curious to see it, in the video Attached you have a summary of the bullfighting festivities in the Peñafie festivitiesl.
Do you encourage yourself to go to Peñafiel to discover the Coso square?
Here in Pucela I was born in the Ortega River, long live Valladolid and its inhabitants
Are you saying that since 1400 something, this place has not evolved from being a scaffold for animals and medieval torture against bulls? Bring Peñafiel to the year 2014 and occupy the square for something more than killing animals in pitiful torments and demonstrate your quality as human beings, not supporting these spectacles worthy of the inquisition.