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In the 18th
century the horsemen´s games were replaced by the unmounted bullfighter
and the Romero family emerged in Ronda, providing over three generations
of the most outstanding bullfighters. The most important of them was Pedro
Romero (1754-1839), a key figure in the history of bullfighting. He retired
after slaying more than 5,600 bulls without ever being hurt.
As a result
in the popularity of the sport in Ronda, the famous bullring was constructed.
The arena has a diameter of 66 metres, surrounded by a passage formed
by two rings of stone. There are two layers of seating, each with five
raised rows and 136 pillars that make up 68 arches. The Royal Box has
a sloping roof covered in Arabic tiles.
In the 20th
century, Ronda produced a second dynasty of bullfighters. The Ordoñez
family whose approach to bullfighting drew the attention of Ernest Hemingway,
who dedicated to them, his works Fiesta and Death in the afternoon.
The bullring
in Ronda is open to the public, with a small admission charge. The bullring
also houses an interesting museum dedicated to the sport.
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