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Art/Culture, Concerts, Events, Nightlife in Ronda, Ronda

Pedro Romero Feria & Corrida Goyesca 2023

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During the first week of September, the vibrant spirit of Rondeños reaches its peak as the city immerses itself in the festive ambiance of the Pedro Romero Feria & Corrida Goyesca 2023.

Marked on this year’s calendar from August 29th to September 3rd, the Pedro Romero Feria stands as the grandest celebration in Ronda’s social itinerary. This week-long extravaganza is a fusion of lively gatherings, captivating live performances, thrilling fairground amusements, and an eagerly anticipated event—the annual Corrida Goyesca, an exclusive bullfight hosted at Ronda’s iconic Plaza de Toros.

Pedro Romero Feria & Corrida Goyesca 2023

While the festivities kick off on August 29th, the crescendo of the weekend unfolds on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of September, with the bullfights and parades taking the center stage. Notably, the enchanting parade of carriages graces the streets on the 3rd of September.

As the final two days of the feria coincide with the illustrious Corrida Goyesca, it’s a convergence of merriment and one of Spain’s premier bullfighting spectacles.

Pedro Romero Feria & Corrida Goyesca 2023
Head for “la Bola” (Calle espinal)

The heart of Ronda transforms into a pedestrian haven, as bars extend their services onto the streets, catering to the jubilant revelers. In the city’s intricate alleyways, vibrant paper lanterns drape the streets, adorning La Bola, Ronda’s primary shopping district, with a surreal faux ceiling.

Take a taxi to the fairground

Beyond the city’s core, the fairground pulses with energetic beats, resonating with party music. A kaleidoscope of amusement rides—dodgem cars, ferris wheels, and more—beckon children of all ages.

Route of the Cabalgata (parade) – Ronda Fair 2023

Embarking on the evening of the 29th, the inaugural fair parade is a spectacle to behold, heightened by the ceremonial illumination and a dazzling fireworks at the feria ground. The procession commences at 8:00 pm from the Hotel Reina Victoria and arrives at the feria ground around 10pm. (There are often delays!)

Pedro Romero Feria & Corrida Goyesca 2023
  • Calle Fernando Morell Castelló (Hotel Reina Victoria)
  • Calle Jerez
  • Calle Virgen de la Paz
  • Carrera Espinel (La Bola)
  • Avenida de Málaga
  • Feria Ground

At 10:00 pm at the feria ground, the night sky bursts to life with a mesmerizing fireworks display, coinciding with the unveiling of the vibrant array of rides and fair ground attractions.

IMPORTANT: If you want to stay in Ronda to experience the feria and all it has to offer then don’t delay! Hotel rooms will already be limited!

Download the official Pedro Romero Feria & Corrida Goyesca 2023 programme (In Spanish) here: https://ayuntamientoronda.es/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Revista-de-Feria-Ronda-2023.pdf

The Damas Goyesca
Pedro Romero Feria & Corrida Goyesca 2023

Since the inception of the Corrida Goyesca in Ronda’s September fair in 1954, the Damas Goyesca of Ronda have been the official representatives of the city, and welcoming committee for visiting dignitaries. Read more here about the Damas Goyesca: https://www.rondatoday.com/damas-goyesca-of-ronda/

Feria Program
Friday, August 25th
  • 22:00 h. 49th International Folk Galas of Ronda, at the Blas Infante Auditorium.
Saturday, August 26th
  • 22:00 h. 49th International Folk Galas of Ronda, at the Blas Infante Auditorium.
Sunday, August 27th
  • 11:45 h. Reception for participating groups in the Folk Galas.
  • 12:30 h. Visit by the President and Goyesca Ladies to Ronda’s Patroness, the Virgin of Peace.
  • 13:00 h. International Folk Mass at the Church of Santa María la Mayor.
  • 22:00 h. 49th International Folk Galas of Ronda, at the Blas Infante Auditorium.
Tuesday, August 29th
  • 20:00 h. Fair and Festivities Opening Parade (Cabalgata).
  • Departure from Calle Jerez (Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria).
  • Calle Virgen de la Paz.
  • Carrera Espinel.
  • Avenida de Málaga.
  • Fairground.
  • 22:00 h. Fireworks and Inauguration of the Lighting and Fairground Archway at the Ángel Harillo Fairground.
Wednesday, August 30th
  • 12:00 h. Tribute to Pedro Romero. Floral offering by the President and her Ladies.
  • Inauguration of the Central Fair. Central Fair Archway (corner of Carrera Espinel and Virgen de la Paz).
  • Central Fair Hours: 13:00 to 20:00h.
Thursday, August 31st
  • 15:00 h. Equestrian Attire Contest at the Ángel Harillo Fairground.
Friday, September 1st
  • 18:00 h. Extraordinary Novillada without picadors at the Real Maestranza de Caballería de Ronda Bullring.
  • 21:00 h. 9th Bullfighting Proclamation at the Convent of Santo Domingo.
Saturday, September 2nd
  • 11:30 h. 41st Rondeña Rejoneo Bullfight at the Real Maestranza de Caballería de Ronda Bullring.
  • 18:00 h. 66th Traditional Goyesca Bullfight at the Real Maestranza de Caballería de Ronda Bullring.
Sunday, September 3rd
  • 12:00 h. 45th Ronda Carriages Exhibition at the Real Maestranza de Caballería de Ronda Bullring.
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Art/Culture, Concerts, Events, Ronda, Spanish Culture

Pedro Romero Feria & Corrida Goyesca 2022

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The first week in September is the one time of year when Rondeños really let their hair down and everything comes to a stop for the week long party for the Pedro Romero Feria & Corrida Goyesca 2022.

This year the dates are 30th of August to the 9th of September and the Pedro Romero Feria in Ronda is the biggest carnival event in Ronda’s social calendar, a week of partying, live shows, fairground rides, attractions, and of course culminating in the (once a year) Corrida Goyesca, the only bullfight to occur in Ronda’s famous Plaza de Toros.

Although the weeks festivities start on the 30th of August the big weekend of bullfighting and parades is the Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th of September. (The parade of carriages takes place on Sunday 4th).

Pedro Romero Feria & Corrida Goyesca 2022 program
program feria ronda 2022

Route of the Cabalgata (parade) de la Feria de Ronda 2022

On the evening of the 30th, the inaugural fair parade and the turning on of the lights with the firework display is well worth attending. The parade starts at the hotel Reina Victoria at 8:00 pm

  • Calle Fernando Morell Castelló (Hotel Reina Victoria)
  • Calle Jerez
  • Calle Virgen de la Paz
  • Carrera Espinel (La Bola)
  • Avenida de Málaga
  • Feria Ground

The firework display starts at 10:00pm at the feria ground when the rides and attractions are opened.

IMPORTANT: If you want to stay in Ronda to experience the feria and all it has to offer then don’t delay! Places will already be limited!

Most of the streets surrounding the Plaza del Socorro become pedestrian only as bars bring their kegs and counters into the street for the hordes who want to party. The last two days of the feria coincide with one of the highlights of the Spanish bullfighting calendar, the Corrida Goyesca.

The exhibition ground on the outskirts of Ronda pounds to the sound of party music, children of all ages go crazy on dodgem cars, ferris wheels, and all sorts of other amusement rides. The streets of Ronda are adorned with paper lanterns in bright colours, so many in fact that La Bola, Ronda’s main shopping precinct, actually appears to have a fake ceiling.

Corrida Goyesca

Back in 1954, one of Ronda’s most famous bullfighters, Cayetano Ordóñez, developed the idea of combining the bicentennial anniversary of the birth of Pedro Romero, a Corrida, the town Feria, and the artworks of Francisco de la Goya into a single week of pageantry. His son Antonio, known locally as ‘El Maestro’, then managed the event, and due to his friendship with Orson Welles, catapulted the event into the international arena.

Pedro Romero Feria & Corrida Goyesca 2022

Every year in Ronda several of the town’s ladies are chosen to be the Damas Goyescas, and represent the ladies seen in some of Francisco de Goya’s paintings of bullfighting and pageantry from the late 18th century. Many of Goya’s paintings were in fact commissioned by a tapestry workshop in Madrid, the aim being to print the paintings on fabric.

Read about the Goyesca ladies here: https://www.rondatoday.com/damas-goyesca-of-ronda/

Ronda town hall Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ayuntamientoderonda

Spanish Culture

Damas Goyesca of Ronda

Since the inception of the Corrida Goyesca in Ronda’s September fair in 1954, the Damas Goyesca of Ronda have been the official representatives of the city, and welcoming committee for visiting dignitaries.

The role is exceptionally demanding, not only from the level of responsibility, but also from the long schedule of training, and gown fittings before the build up to the week’s festivities.

So exceptionally popular have been the Damas Goyesca, that in 2009, a bronze statue of a Goyesca lady was inaugurated in Alameda park, directly across from the statue of Pedro Romero, Ronda’s most famous bullfighter.

Every year a president of the Damas Goyesca is chosen, usually she is a woman well respected in Ronda, someone who has earned the affection of the people of Ronda, and who is held up as a model of womanhood for others to emulate.

At the same time, fourteen younger Rondeñas are picked to support the president in her duties, typically the younger Damas Goyesca will be in their teens, and of course chosen for their beauty, as well as their grace.

Why the “Goyesca” Ladies?

Every year in Ronda several of the town’s ladies are chosen to be the Damas Goyescas, and represent the ladies seen in some of Francisco de Goya’s paintings of bullfighting and pageantry from the late 18th century. Many of Goya’s paintings were in fact commissioned by a tapestry workshop in Madrid, the aim being to print the paintings on fabric.

When Goya painted his portraits of nobility, the fashion of the day was for colourful fabrics, and matching accessories such as shoes, fans, hairpieces etc. The gowns worn by Ronda’s Dames Goyesca are not exact copies of those seen in Goya’s paintings, instead they are designed to reflect the matador designs seen in Goya’s paintings of Pedro Romero, so can be said to be complimentary rather than historically correct.

Some art historians argue Goya’s paintings of the Duchess of Alba are the inspiration for the gowns worn by the Damas Goyesca, and to a lesser extent this might be true, in that many of the simpler gowns worn by the ladies are very reminiscent. The more complex designs however have been developed in the 20th century in response to perceived fashions of the 18th century, and as such are even more stunning and beautiful than they would have been.

Each outfit can cost many thousands of Euros, everything is custom made to suit the lady, right down to handmade shoes and lace shawls. In addition, each Goyesca lady usually has another gown for less formal occasions, and perhaps a third for specific medal ceremonies.

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Art/Culture

54th Corrida Goyesca in Ronda

Today marked the 54th Corrida Goyesca on the last day of the Pedro Romero Feria 2010, with thousands of supporters in the streets of Ronda to see the Rivera brothers and their bullfighting comrades in arms.

The three matadors showing off their skills were Francisco Rivera ‘Paquirri’, Enrique Ponce, and Sebastian Castella, who looked resplendent in their Goya themed outfits. Ladies in the crowd as they approached the Plaza de Toros from the Hotel Reina Victoria eagerly shouted ‘guapa, guapa’ as their carriages passed.

As per tradition, they were joined on their way to the Plaza de Toros by the Damas Goyescas and their president for 2010 Lola Riaza, who also looked absolutely gorgeous and had visitors and residents alike rushing to take snapshots of their finery.

Unlike previous years, tickets to the Corrida Goyesca did not sell out, in fact shaded seats were still available directly from the official ticket office immediately before the toreros arrived to begin the show. Handpicked journalists who covered the event described a smaller crowd than normal and wondered if this was a result of the recent banning of bullfighting in Catalunya.

Significantly fewer politicians from Andalucia and the national stage attended after the town hall in Ronda cut back on spending for a box seat and their usual dinner afterwards. As well, the Duchess of Alba who is a long time supporter of the Corrida Goyesca failed to make an appearance fueling speculation she may be ill.

Here are a selection of our photos taken before the toreros entered the bullring.

Spanish Culture

Damas Goyescas Stomp Grapes at the Wine Museum of Ronda

It is becoming a popular and enjoyable event within the Pedro Romero Feria, the annual grape stomping to officially kick off the beginning of the wine pressing season after grapes have matured in the summer sun. The arrival of the Damas Goyesca to lend their feet is eagerly awaited.

Aside from stomping grapes in traditional wooden tanks, which is a lot of fun, the day has a more serious agenda as dignataries and visitors are able to sample some of the latest wines on offer, as well as some of the best meats and cheeses made in the Serranía.

For thousands of years wine has been made in the Serranía, ancient Iberian people are understood to have fermented grapes, though the Romans really gave wine making a boost with dozens of warehouses at Setenil supplied by large villas surrounding Acinipo. In fact Acinipo wine is believed to have been in great demand in the larger cities of Iberia and Rome itself.

During the last century vineyards have slowly made a comeback, not achieving much renown until recently, though the pace of change of acceptance of Ronda wines is speeding up with several local wines taking Gold at some of the most prestigious international wine competitions.

The annual wine stomping at the Museum of Wine in an old factory near the Santa Maria church is new tradition, but one that is proving popular with wine connoisseurs and tourists, in fact in 2007 over 4,000 people attended.

Great strides have been taken to promote wines of the district, with a special designation having been approved “Designation of Origin Malaga – Serranía de Ronda”, especially after the great phylloxera tragedy.

Thankfully the days of Ronda wines being shunned are well past us, and great vineyards such as La Sangre de Ronda, Jorge Bonet, Los Aguilares, Andalus, Doña Felisa and many more attracting attention from some of the best restaurants in Spain, and other wines sought ofter in foreign markets, the future is looking bright.