Toro Jubilo de Medinaceli

Introduction and local significance

The Toro Jubilo de Medinaceli is a patronal festival celebrated in the municipality of Medinaceli, located in the province of Soria and in the autonomous community of Castilla y León. This edition will officially take place from 14 to 15 November 2026. The celebration has been declared a Traditional Bullfighting Spectacle of Regional Tourist Interest and is classified as a Cultural Asset. The event attracts numerous attendees to the emblematic Plaza Mayor of the town to witness the scheduled events.

Historical origins and tradition

The origin of the festivity has various theories according to different authors, with some placing it in celebrations over two millennia ago to commemorate the victory of the Iberians in the Punic Wars, or in pre-Roman times when the bull was a totemic animal. Anthropologist Elizabeth Chesley Baity noted the similarity of these rites to those of tribes from North Africa, Greece, or India. The first time the bull was run in the town was on 29 September 1559, in the presence of King Philip II and his third wife, Isabel de Valois, and it was also organised to solemnise the swearing-in of the Spanish Constitution of 1837. By the late 18th century, it began to be celebrated continuously at least once a year on the occasion of the feast of the Holy Bodies, dedicated to the five martyrs Arcadio, Probo, Pascasio, Eutiquiano, and Paulilo, whose festivities began on 13 November 1610. The traditions of the festivity include the lighting of five bonfires in the Plaza Mayor, one for each martyr, which act as barriers for the participants. At the start of the event, the bull is tied with two ropes to a wooden post planted in the centre of the venue. A damp hessian cloth is placed on its forehead, along with a metal structure called a gamella with wooden pieces to prevent the fire from reaching the animal's face. Additionally, the bull is covered with a thick layer of red, sticky clay obtained from the slope of the Castle, near the hermitage of Humilladero, to protect it from heat and burns. Two large balls of pitch made from hemp, turpentine, and sulphur are attached to its horns, which are ignited before the release, at which point a veterinarian examines the animal both before and after to certify that it suffers no harm.

Programme and main events

The official events for this edition of the Toro Jubilo de Medinaceli are concentrated on 14 November 2026. The detailed programme includes the Mass of Commissioners at the Collegiate Church and the subsequent procession of the images of the Holy Bodies, as well as a talk-debate on the declaration of the festivity as a Cultural Asset at the Ducal Palace. The central and most significant event of the day is the release of the bull in the Plaza Mayor during the night. Similarly, the programme includes a gathering called in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento by groups opposed to the celebration.

Traditional festival food

The official documentation and information dossier of the festivity do not list specific typical dishes or traditional recipes exclusively associated with the dates of this event in the municipality. Visitors travelling to the town to witness the events can enjoy the usual offerings from local dining establishments for their sustenance during the festive days.

Visitor guide and where to stay

The main venue where the event takes place is the Plaza Mayor of Medinaceli, located in the province of Soria. To attend the events and organise your stay, general recommendations suggest booking accommodation in advance to ensure a place both in the town itself and in nearby locations. During the days of highest public attendance, it is preferable to use public transport or park vehicles outside the urban area to avoid congestion. Before travelling, it is advisable to check for updates on the official programme, as schedules and access may change. Staying in the urban centre or nearby areas significantly facilitates following the scheduled events at night.