The Square Bullring

One of the few square bullrings in Spain, built into the hillside

The Plaza de Toros of Mijas is a square bullring, a rarity in a country where virtually every other ring is oval or circular. Built into the hillside to take advantage of the natural slope for seating, the ring holds several thousand spectators and is still used for bullfights during the town's fiestas. Outside of the bullfighting season it functions as a venue for concerts and cultural events.

The square plan gives the exterior a distinctive look and creates some awkward angles inside, particularly in the corners. The ring also houses a small museum dedicated to the history of bullfighting. Whether or not bullfighting interests you, the structure is architecturally unusual and the hilltop location makes it one of the best viewpoints in Mijas, with panoramas over the coast.

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A story
Almost every bullring in Spain is circular, but Mijas built a square one — legend has it because the builders ran out of money midway and couldn't afford the rounded exterior walls. The practical result is that four of the ring's corners become odd wedge-shaped spaces, filled with cramped seating. Whether or not the legend is true, the square ring has become Mijas's most distinctive landmark and a symbol of the town's willingness to do things its own way.