Vila Franca nke Xira Bullring

 

Vila Franca de Xira Bullring, also known as Palha Blanco Bullring ( Portuguese </link> ) is located between the town of Vila Franca de Xira and the town of the same name in the Lisbon District of Portugal.  Built in 1901, it is still in use and is one of eight "First Type" models in the country.

. In 1937, the bull was named after José Pereira Palha Blanco, a rancher, who organized a group of philanthropists to form a joint venture to support the building.  Before it was built, there were three other bulls in the same place, which were made of wood.  The first one was bad because it didn't have the traditional round shape, the second one wasn't perfect, and the third one burned out.  The inaugural fight was held in the new ring on September 30, 1901 and the ring got its name in 1905 when King Carlos visited

In addition to bullfighting the ring has hosted performances by artists such as Portuguese fado singer Amália Rodrigues.  It is also used for boxing matches, holiday races, competitions between bands and as open shows, as well as for charity events.  During the regime of the totalitarian Estado Novo, it was used as a showcase for the Mocidade Portuguesa, a youth food group.  During the Second World War, it was used by the cavalry assembled for the war.

Fighters who fight in the ring include Domingo Ortega, Conchita Cintrón and Carlos Arruza, as well as Álvaro Domecq y Díez who is said to make bones turn on horses.  The ring is one of the few people in Portugal who did not see the death of the bullfighter.  He supported many competitions that cause the death of the bull, although this is illegal in Portugal, and the bullfighters were arrested.

Enwere atụmatụ iji wuo ụlọ ngosi ihe mgbe ochie nke Portuguese na Palha Blanco. N'otu oge ahụ, a ka na-emegide egwuregwu ahụ, nke na April 2017 kpatara ụfọdụ mmebi nke ámá egwuregwu, bụ isi site na iji graffiti.