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Emblem/Badge of the Royal Cavalry Armory of Seville. Photo By Heralder –

Top 10 Incredible Facts about Real Maestranza de Caballeria de Sevilla

Real Maestranza de Caballeria de Sevilla was created in 1670 as an order of the knight community. It is the English translation of The Royal Cavalry Armory of Seville and was the successor of the 13th-century Knightly Brotherhood of San Hermenegildo.

The Knightly Brotherhood of San Hermenegildo was formed after the successful defeat of Seville by Ferdinand III. King Ferdinand III had acquired the majority of territories in the Iberian peninsula by the early 1200s. In 1247 he proceeded South in the conquest of Seville.

With the aid of Ibn al-Ahmar and Alphonso X, Ferdinand III set up camp outside the city, reinforcing his army for 16 months before he launched his first attack on Seville. The battle began in May 1248 when the Sevillian troops opened fire on the Castilian fleet.

In November 1248, Serville yielded, and Ferdinand III became its ruler. It was made the capital of Castile, and its navy became a significant military force. The knights who aided in the capture of Seville created the Brotherhood of San Hermenegildo.

The Brotherhood prepared other soldiers for combat through vigorous training and equestrian practices. As the years went by, the dwindling organization became less active.

 However, in the late 1600s, Carlos II decided to form its succeeding cavalry armory, Real Maestranza de Caballeria de Sevilla.

1. It Was The First Cavalry Armory To Be Led By A Spanish Monarch

Portrait of Philip of Bourbon and Farnese (1720-1765). Photo by Laurent Pêcheux –

In 1730, the Spanish monarch took the lead of Real Maestranza de Caballeria. Philip, the 12^th Count of Chinchon, became the head of the movement. After the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, he was named the Duke of Parma, Piacenza, and Guastalla in 1748.

 Philip received the French order of chivalry, Order of the Holy Spirit, in March of 1736. He continued overseeing the cavalry until he met his death in 1765. Real Maestranza de Caballeria was handed over to his last-born brother, Luis Antonio Jamie of Spain. 

2. Real Maestranza de Caballeria De Seville Restructured The Largest Bullfighting Arena in Spain

Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza, Sevilla. Photo By Ajay Suresh –

Plaza de Toros de Seville is the most critical arena in the history of Hispanic bullfighting. The stadium was reconstructed from its previous temporary structure in 1760 by the Real Maestranza de Caballeria. The vast arena is located in the El Arenal harbor district.

The Baroque façade and its mustard and white finish can be spotted from miles away. The arena has a capacity of about 13,000, hosting over ten bull-related events annually. During the Feria de Abril (a seven-day grand fair that happens every April), guests from across Spain gather in the arena to witness an array of performances.

Read about another famous bullfighting ring in Spain here.

3. The Museum At Plaza De Toro De Seville Is A Principal Resource Centre On The History Of Bullfighting

Bullfighting in Spain dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a big part of the Sevillian culture, so the town has been keen to preserve it. Though some saw it as torture, others viewed it as a form of entertainment. It is said that the royal wedding of Alphonso VII in 1128 included bullfighting as part of their entertainment.

The Plaza de Toro de Seville Museum gives a deep dive into historical bullfights in the arena. The wall paintings display the evolution of the craft from the 500 to 1500 century. It has a 3d model of the arena and bull busts spread across the room.

Moreover, the museum has the attire won by one of the greatest bullfighters of the 20^th century Juan Belmonte. It also commemorated the knights of Seville with cavalry statues and preserved spears.

4. Its Royal Bullring Is Of A Deformed Figure

Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza. Photo By Elisa.rolle –

In the mid-1700s, the Plaza de Toros de Seville was put up as a replacement for the previous rectangular-shaped bullring. Its construction was met with unprecedented events taking 120 years to complete.

The new design eschewed a polygon-framed structure after identifying its adverse effects on riders and animals during bullfighting. Francisco Sanchez de Aragon drew up the plans for the first three ochavas, but when management shifted, new ideas were incorporated into the plan to suit the physically restricted site.

By 1766, the majority of the arena was completed. The lack of finances suspended its finalization for a decade and a half. A second ban on bullfighting was put up in 1785, and construction was halted. Works resumed in 1845, and once again under a different architect Manuel Cabarello.

Some of the ochavas were replaced while others were constructed. From 1914 to 1956, parts not in its initial plan were added. As the arena’s construction was handed over from one architect to another, altering its midpoint and the different architectural styles played a part in its lack of uniformity. Talk about too many cooks spoiling the broth!

Aside from the Plaza de Toros de Seville, find out about other iconic places to visit in Seville here.

5. Its Members Have A Secret Meeting Room In Plaza De Toro De Seville

On average, the Seville Bullring receives 250,000 tourists annually. Its rich history and events draw numerous people across Spain and beyond its borders. It is unknown to many that the bullring has a room tucked away for the Real Maestranza de Caballeria de Sevilla members.

The solemn house is connected to the arena directly but only accessed through a passage on the roof. The hidden room has a library of books printed before the 16^th century and others on bullfighting, heraldry, and genealogy. Scholars interested in equestrian art and related topics often visit the quarters.

6. The Dungeon In Its Bullring Was Used To Lock Up Criminals

Prison cell. Photo By Ichigo121212 –

The Plaza de Toros de Seville has an abandoned dungeon used to detain lawbreakers. It was a form of a prison cell, and troublemakers would spend their days locked up until their release. The dungeon also had the porters’ quarters and a room for the puntilleros.

7. Real Maestranza De Caballeria De Sevilla Was Amended Thrice In The 20^th Century

Two years after Philip, Duke of Parma, took leadership, the chivalric order underwent its first amendment. The initial laws had been valid for 63 years, but the need arose after the end of the Anglo-Spanish War (1727-1729).

When Fernando VII took over, the laws were reformed again in 1793. In the 20^th century, it was amended thrice, in 1913 (under the leadership of Alfonso XIII), 1966, and 1978 (under the leadership of Juan III). Presently, Felipe VI is the leader of Real Maestranza de Caballeria de Sevilla, and no changes have followed since its fifth amendment.

Read more on Alfonso XIII, Fernando VII and other famous Spanish Kings here. 

8. Its Uniform Was Recently Won In A Royal Ceremony

In 1962, Carlos Maria Alfonso, Duke of Calabria, was the best man at the royal wedding of Juan Carlos of Spain. The Duke of Calabria dressed in the Real Maestranza de Caballeria uniform, a red full-sleeved coat, white trousers, and its matching cap.

The uniform was again worn in 2021, when Carlos Fitz-James Stuart wedded his fiancé Belen Corsini in Liria Palace, Madrid. The Count of Orsono is the son of the Duke of Alba, and his wife is the heiress of her generational wealth.

9. Real Maestranza De Caballeria De Sevilla Was The First To Fund Equestrian Sport 

 One of the principal purposes of Real Maestranza de Caballeria de Sevilla was to train soldiers on how to use their armor as they rode horses. They took this further and were the first to sponsor the recreational sport of horse riding in Sevilla.

Horses are an essential part of the Hispanic culture. They symbolize status and, to some, a big part of their work and everyday life. The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez, Spain, is ranked amongst the world’s most prestigious riding academies.

10. Its Sponsorship Programmes Are At The Forefront Of Community Development

University of Seville. Photo By Anual –

The Real Maestranza de Caballeria de Sevilla is a military order and a charitable organization. It gives back to the community by sponsoring cultural and educative activities across Seville.

Some examples of such activities are the annual Lenten Cycle of Organ Concerts, The Spring Festival, and the Contemporary Art Conference held by the University of Seville.