Two bulls, one during the morning and one in the afternoon roam through the steep streets of Gaucin in the province of Malaga on Easter Sunday.

Locals and visitors run in front of and behind the bull, trying desperately to avoid being gored. This is a dangerous fiestas and often people are injured. The bull has a rope tied around its neck sothat the men can drag the bull away if it charges at someone. The idea is not to defeat the bull but to better him with your agility and avoid being spiked by his pointed and very sharp horns.

Nobody knows how old this tradition is in Gaucin but even the oldest residents of the town remember it happening all their lives. It is believed that it could have Pagan origins.

Some researchers believe that the fiesta is related to the 'roped bull' of wedding celebrations. The bull was taken to the bride's house where the groom would stab the bull with flags. The blood stain on the groom's clothing would symbolise the transfer of the bull's sexual power to the groom.

Other Malaga townsd also celebrate with 'bull-running' such as Fuengirola.

Local Info (full page feature here)

Gaucin is a small town of 97.3 square kilometres, located in the Genal Valley at the southern part of the Ronda District. Ronda is 36km away and Malaga is 130km away. The town sits quite high at 630 metres above sea level.

Outstanding sights

Del Agua Castle

San Sebastian Parish Church

Carmelite Convent

Six-spouted fountain

Tourist Info

Plaza Guzman El Bueno, 23

Tel (0034) 952 510 000