Ciudad Rodrigo: Two Sieges and a Carnival of Bulls
Castilla y León, Spain
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Carnaval del Toro
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275
XP
+100 Spain
= 375 total
1 day
Ciudad Rodrigo: Two Sieges and a Carnival of Bulls
275 + 100 XP
Ferdinand II of León repopulated Ciudad Rodrigo from 1161 and walled it — over two kilometres of circuit with seven gates — and the cathedral went up mostly in the 13th and 14th centuries. Its worst period came in the Peninsular War, when it was besieged twice: Marshal Ney took it for the French on 9 July 1810 after twenty-four days, and the Allies took it back in 1812. The damage from both is still visible in the fabric. The town's Carnaval del Toro is one of the oldest bull-running carnivals in Spain, with bulls run through the walled streets.
Required Activities
1
of 5
Walk the wall circuit — over two kilometres with seven gates — and find the damage from 1810 and 1812
2
of 5
Work out what happened on 9 July 1810 and who took the town back two years later
3
of 5
Go into the cathedral and find the carved choir stalls by Rodrigo Alemán
4
of 5
Come for the Carnaval del Toro, when bulls are run through the walled streets
5
of 5
Work out what Ferdinand II was doing here from 1161 and why he needed a wall this size
Walk the wall circuit — over two kilometres with seven gates — and find the damage from 1810 and 1812
Work out what happened on 9 July 1810 and who took the town back two years later
Go into the cathedral and find the carved choir stalls by Rodrigo Alemán
Come for the Carnaval del Toro, when bulls are run through the walled streets
Work out what Ferdinand II was doing here from 1161 and why he needed a wall this size
Before you go
Bulls are run through the walled streets at the Carnaval del Toro.
Bull running at Carnival is dangerous to spectators — stay behind the barriers. The town fills completely for it.
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About Castilla y León
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Challenge Location
XP Breakdown
Challenge XP
275 XP
Spain country bonus
+100 XP
Potential total
375 XP
Country bonus earned on completion of your first challenge in Spain.
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