This project, which is entering its final phase, made it possible, among other things, to provide this historic site with a large open-air theater with a capacity of 7,000 seats and to keep its circular architectural appearance and its façade in the style Hispano-Moorish, thus contributing to strengthening the cultural offer and the tourist attractiveness of the destination.
After major renovation and restoration work, Tangier’s famous arenas, more commonly known as the “Plaza de Toro”, are preparing to reopen their doors to the public. The project managers chose to illuminate the historic site on the occasion of the New Year festivities in order to announce this good news. The image of the illuminated Plaza de Toro has since continued to be shared on social networks, allowing people to discover the history of this emblematic building, which saw the most famous bullfighters of their time perform, such as Manuel Benítez Pérez. Abandoned for a long time, this historic site is benefiting from a project to rehabilitate and restore all of its spaces and transform it into a multi-purpose cultural center. With a total investment of 50 million dirhams, this project, which is entering its final phase, is progressing well according to the set agenda and thanks to the mobilization of all stakeholders. It helped save this emblematic building, built at the end of the 1940s by the Spanish, from abandonment, before being inaugurated with great fanfare on August 27, 1950.
Cultural influence of the city
This project, which is intended to contribute to the influence of Tangier and the strengthening of its cultural offering, is supervised by the Agency for the Promotion and Development of the North (APDN), in partnership with the wilaya of Tangier-Tétouan-Al Hoceima TTA, the TTA regional council and the municipality of Tangier. Thus, the Plaza de Toro will make it possible, thanks to new generation equipment, to host major national and international events. As previously announced and thanks to its large surface area, it stands out for its large open-air theater with a capacity of 7,000 people. The Plaza de Toro is made up of exhibition rooms and creative workshops for children and adults. It also includes cultural shops, leisure areas, commercial spaces and restaurants.
Destination promotion
In addition to its cultural aspect, this project will also contribute to the promotion of the destination among lovers of historical heritage. Located more precisely on an area of 17,000 m², the Plaza de Toro, whose official reopening date has not yet been set, sits majestically with its particular circular architecture and its Hispano-Moorish style facade. This unique architectural aspect makes it possible to resurrect part of the glorious history of the places, initially dedicated to bullfights, which were more practiced in Spain. This ancestral tradition began to lose its popularity over time thanks to campaigns led by animal defense and protection NGOs against this discipline.
