Puerta de Toledo (1865). Photo Laurent ( Flickr: Photo Nicolas1056 ).
In the earlier chapters of this series on the bulls through the town of Madrid we have seen, first, the
tour Main Street, which was the classic, habitual de la Villa y Corte, and then a
alternative route along the street of Alcala that was used, at least in 1626 and 1627.
As you can see, the first part of the title of the various chapters of the series is common, and reads:
"Confinement in the Madrid de los Austrias" . With that, I do not mean much to the fact that so far we're going up, at least to the seventeenth century, when the reigning monarchs in Spain of the House of Austria, but rather that these two courses passed (in the first case) or terminate (in the second) the neighborhood in the capital is known for:
the Madrid de los Austrias .
and clarify this because in this third chapter we will try a third route that was used for holding cages that also runs through the
Madrid de los Austrias, but which was used at a time when those who Spain and the Bourbon dynasty reigned.
In 1749, the reign of Fernando VI de Borbón, was erected in Madrid bullring the first stable and permanent materials. Was located in a were close to the Puerta de Alcalá, between the present streets of Claudio Coello, Conde de Aranda and Serrano, practically glued the Retreat. Obviously, since then, the necessary and after closure of the cattle that were to elapse deal left down Main Street.
However, for some solemn celebrations of the royal family still kept choosing the Plaza Mayor and the scene of some bullfights. And to do so, it was necessary to carry out the closure of the cattle on a journey that culminates in that scenario.
What was the route chosen closure to hold bullfights in the Plaza Mayor at the time of the Bourbons?
At least, in separate series of bullfights held in the Plaza Mayor of Madrid in the years 1803 and 1833, the route chosen for closure was not the classic main street, but other than that was enabled for these occasions: the street Toledo.
King Charles IV found that in July 1803 royal celebrations were held in Madrid for the marriage he had contracted the Prince of Asturias Don Fernando de Borbón, who later would rule with the name of Fernando VII. And, amongst others, were scheduled three bullfights in the Plaza Mayor for 20, 22 and 27 (Francisco López left, in his book
"Plazas de Toros de Madrid and other places that ran" , mentions it was fourth bullfight on July 30). As
Since in one of those acts the main street was part of the route would follow the royal entourage to move from Palace to the church of Nuestra Senora de Atocha, have considered that a Talanquera could tarnish the decorations and repairs to which had been decorated this route, so that the City of Town and Court decided to change the traditional route closure of cattle were to deal in those days and enabled other than the streets of Toledo.
Bando also correspond to the City Council for the development of the closures of these parties, which was issued on July 16, 1803 and released two days later. Your header is clear those closures took place overnight on 19, 21 and 26, from noon, and in the articles makes the following provisions:
"I. - No person, of any kind and condition it will be from noon in front of each of the three aforementioned nights on the street where the bulls are to lead, to be from the door of Toledo to the Square of barley, and from there, on the same street, the Plaza Mayor, taking care to withdraw all their houses or rooms without leaving a horse or walking this race, nor with a pretext of fans, as to make the cages are intelligent person appointed to be met so that they can only check without getting pregnant. II.-Absolutely
prohibits its side streets, on balconies and windows of the houses are removed lighted torches or other lights, give shouts, whistles, or make noise while moving cattle, or throw sticks or stones, for the contingency that is lost or cause damage, ensuring parents and householders that their children and servants are included in those hours.
III.-A tenants of low and main rooms of each and every one of the houses and streets expressed handles at 12 o'clock in the aforementioned three nights have closed the doors of the gates, preventing him and is prevented neighbors of the other rooms and suites above who can not stop because of any violation that is in this ruling would be taken. So have to see the waiters and innkeepers who are included in those streets.
IV .- To forestall any further damage or injury, particularly if you go back the cattle, seek with care the owners of the hounds, greyhounds, mastiffs and any other breed, tied them in their homes, without letting go any circumstance, on the assumption that if a mandate to conflict is so necessary in the case, to proceed as appropriate.
V. - The workers who remain in the said three nights to take care of the stands and gates Square, as well as the ministers of justice who are running around to enforce these precautions and others that are sent in the Proclamation of June 14, will be able stand in those lines, and the neighbors out on the balconies of the houses without lowering it, watching what is referred to as to not get lights, shouting, whistling or making other noise, subsisting absolute necessity smoking ban, lighting tinder, and all precautions against fire that expresses the said Bando .
All these precautions should be observed until the bulls are kept in their respective bullpens, and the oxen have left the population, and verified that is, parents and masters prevent their children, servants and boys from their homes that do not go to the bullpen, or come with sticks or poles, being easy to introduce by the boards of the beams and tables cause problems, and so that any alleged ignorance is fixed this, compliance with which celled by the ministers of my court. Madrid, July 16, 1803 .- D. Juan de Morales .- D. Francisco de San Martin and Silica. "
On the other hand, for the Jura of the Infanta Dona Isabel Maria Luisa of Bourbon as heir to the crown (which would agree with the name Isabel II), the Royal House scheduled a series of institutional events and found that some celebrations were held commemorative. Among the first was the very Jura, which took place on June 20, 1833 at the Monastery of San Jerónimo el Real (Los Jeronimos
), so Main Street was part of the route traveled by the royal entourage. And among the festivities were scheduled three bullfights for 22, 23 and 25 of that same year. So, as happened in 1803, the City Council of the Town and Court decided that the street was used as a route closure Toledo.
As in the other tours we've seen in previous chapters of this series, street Toledo could also be present scenario of confinement in Madrid, for virtually meet all requirements under the current regulations of the Community.
As seen in the aerial photo, breadth, running from the Puerta de Toledo to the Plaza Mayor, devoid of sharp curves, so that the configuration of the pack would depend mainly travel altimetry.
Sections (approximate measurements through Google Earth):
01 ... 090 m. ... 6.7% ... Free Zone
02 ... 330 m. ... 3.3% ... C / Toledo
03 ... 390 m. ... - 0.7% ... C / Toledo
04 ... 140 m. ... 5.7% ... C / Toledo
05 ... 050 m. ... 0.0% ... Plaza Mayor
This journey through the streets Toledo has a first meters with a very good slope, which could be used as a zone free of runners, but then stabilized at 3.3% slope to reach the Plaza of the Barley. From there, the road traces a gentle curve to the left and the profile becomes almost flat. Finally, the last meters of the course will progressively steeper until you get to the Plaza Mayor, which would cross to the site of this imaginary arena always presented before the house of the Bakery.
The only point of the route that could present a problem regarding the requirements of the Regulations of People's bullfighting Community Madrid would be the section between the streets of Concepcion Jerónima and Imperial, as the tunnel from the Main Square parking reduces the width of the street Toledo and may not reach the required six meters.
However, we may be unattractive to a journey from the point of view of the dynamics of a closure, but it is undeniable that it has sections that could be ideal places for big races. And, of course, as always, the grandeur of the arched entrance to the Plaza Mayor gives his final installment of indescribable beauty. Many sites would like to have a tour like this, and brokers Madrid closures so would if they were offered the opportunity dreaming of a prison in the capital.
Finally, this journey through the streets Toledo, we've seen three (as far as I know) historically were used to perform those closures in Madrid bullfights held in the Plaza Mayor until 1846 . And they are: the Main Street, which was the usual and the streets of Alcalá and Toledo, which were used as alternatives in 1626 and 1627, the first, and in 1803 and 1833, the second.
I know that at times it was thought certain other alternative routes, as in 1664, which sought to make the street closure Ambassadors, or in 1680, which was proposed to enter from Atocha Street. But I have no evidence to date is that these streets were to be honored finally over Toro for his floor.
. Lagun
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