In Spain, construction is underway for a colossal bull sculpture aiming to surpass the height of the Eiffel Tower.
The Spanish Academy of Bullfighting has proposed a bold and ambitious project - the construction of a 300-meter-high metal bull sculpture, known as "El Toro de España" (The Bull of Spain). This monumental structure, set to be a national landmark and major tourist attraction, is comparable to iconic global monuments such as the Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty[1][2][3].
The project, privately funded, includes tourist facilities such as viewing platforms in the bull's horns and a tourist center with exhibitions, restaurants, and retail shops themed on bullfighting culture[2][3][4]. The Academy promotes the statue as a symbol of Spain's bullfighting heritage, designed to boost local economies by increasing tourism and creating jobs[1][3][4].
However, the project has sparked significant controversy due to its association with bullfighting, a practice criticized for animal cruelty and banned in some regions of Spain. Critics, including animal rights groups like PETA, denounce bullfighting as a "tradition of tragedy" and view the monument as glorifying a divisive and contentious tradition[5][4].
Madrid initially declined the proposal to host the project, and the Academy is now seeking other municipalities with strong tourism potential and transport links[1][4]. Cities like Burgos are potential hosts, with some local political support from parties like Vox[4]. Notably, the proposed structure would dwarf Burgos’s UNESCO Gothic cathedral at 112 meters, standing nearly three times taller[4].
The controversy surrounding the project has led to a heated debate about whether the statue would invite positive tourism or reinforce negative controversy around bullfighting. The Academy's goal is to make the bull structure the most visited monument in the world, surpassing the Eiffel Tower[6].
As of mid-2025, a host city has not been finalized, with negotiations ongoing. The former mayor of Burgos, Daniel de la Rosa, criticizes the initiative as "crazy" and a lack of propositional capacity. Meanwhile, the deputy mayor of Burgos, Fernando Martínez-Acitores, supports the construction of the metallic bull structure[7].
The Academy of Tauromachy, founded in 2023, is the driving force behind this project. Bullfighting, while becoming increasingly unpopular in Spain, with 78% of Spaniards not fans according to a survey by El Mundo in April 2025, remains a contentious issue among political parties[8]. The left has been trying to ban bullfighting in many cities for several years, but conservative parties consider it a national symbol.
In conclusion, the plan to build a giant metallic bull statue in Spain is a significant and divisive issue. While the project aims to boost tourism and create jobs, its association with bullfighting has sparked controversy and debate. As negotiations continue, the future of "El Toro de España" remains uncertain.
References:
- El País
- ABC
- CNN
- The Guardian
- PETA
- The Academy of Tauromachy
- El Mundo
- El Mundo
- Despite the Spanish Academy of Bullfighting's plans for a metallic bull sculpture, dubbed "El Toro de España," some suspect it may further polarize opinions about sustainable living, especially regarding animal welfare in home-and-garden lifestyles.
- The proposed "El Toro de España" statue, if built, could alter the European leagues' landscape not only due to its size, but also because of its potential impact on tourism and sports, particularly football, in the host city.
- As Spain's bullfighting culture becomes less popular, the construction of "El Toro de España" stands as a symbol of the ongoing debate between those promoting traditional, heritage-based lifestyles and advocates of sustainable-living, animal rights, and modernized home-and-garden lifestyles.
- The proposal for the "El Toro de España" project has fostered discussions about the role of major tourist attractions in promoting national identities, linking Spain's past with its future, and sparking questions about whether such structures should represent diverse aspects of the country's lifestyle, such as home-and-garden life, sports, or sustainable living.
