Els Bous a la Mar, declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest, is undoubtedly one of the best-known celebrations in Dénia. In addition, it is one of the oldest traditions and one of the main events of the Festival Dénia, which takes place in July.
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When are they?
The Dénia bulls are celebrated during the Festivities of the Most Holy Sang, which is the week of patron saint festivities of the municipality. The date of this Festa Major is always at the beginning of July, during the week of the Day of the Most Holy Blood.
In 2022 :, there will be Bous a la Mar from Saturday July 9 to Sunday July 17. Tickets are made in two daily sessions, at noon (at 13:00 p.m.) and in the afternoon (at 19:00 p.m.), except on Saturday, July 9, when there will only be one afternoon session, and on Saturday, July 16, which will only take place at 13:00.
During some days, the show in the square is preceded by an entrance that runs through Marqués de Campo and the port. These days are usually the first Saturday of the Holidays and the Friday after the Day of the Holy Blood, but depending on the year, some more entries can be scheduled.
In 2022 :, tickets will be on Saturday 9, Monday 11 and Friday 15 July, all at 19:00.
Check the complete program of Dénia Festivals this year at this link.
Where are they celebrated?
The Bous to the Sea take place in a semicircular square in the port of Dénia, next to the fish market. The enclosure is installed on purpose for the occasion and has the particularity of its location, located as if the water of the port itself were part of the activity, serving as a refuge for those who flee from the bulls that run through the arena. In fact, its translation from Valencian is "Toros al mar".
How much?
The price of the ticket to access the venue and witness the show depends on the year and the time. The cheapest option is always the one in the morning, when the ticket usually costs about €1. On the other hand, in the afternoon access costs between 3 and 5 € because it is the time when more people want to participate in the party. Tickets are purchased at the square's box office, which opens one hour before the start.
In 2022 the prices are as follows:
- General admission (afternoon): €5
- Reduced late ticket (children and retirees): €3
- Morning entrance: €1
History
It is one of the oldest celebrations that are preserved today in the celebrations of the city. However, its relevance has gradually faded into the background over time, despite having the recognition of Festival of National Tourist Interest since 1993.
First bulls in Dénia
According to the work of the historian Roc Chabàs, the origin of the bulls in the capital of the Marina Alta It dates back to October 1749, despite the fact that there is documentation from the XNUMXth century that proves that bullfights already existed then. Now, it seems that these were held within the municipality and far from the sea.
Origin of the party
Despite this, it was not until the port dock was built that it was decided to open the square and incorporate water as a differentiating element of the festival. There is a record of their celebration since the second decade of the XNUMXth century, when they were part of the celebrations of the Sant Pere festivities.
A century of bullfighting
Almost a century has passed and the Bous a la Mar have changed very little in their essence. However, they have grown to become National Tourist Interest that brings together hundreds of people in the square.
Video
Photos
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Cow in front of the lower area of the stands
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Cow during els Bous a la Mar
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Bull in the square of Bous a la Mar de Dénia
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Everyone flees from the animal in els Bous a la Mar
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Participants trimming the animal on the shore of the port
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Participants hiding from the cow
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The cow prepared to charge in Dénia
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The cow forces people to jump into the harbor
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The cow in front of the sea
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The cow in front of the runners
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The cow with its head out of the water
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The square fills during the Bous a la Mar of 2019 in Dénia
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Half of the Bous a la Mar square is water
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People jump into the water so that the cow does not catch them
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The rescue boat picks up the bull after falling into the water
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Spectators in the water
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Els Bous to the Sea of Dénia
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The bull jumps into the water
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The bull in Bous a la Mar
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The bull falls into the water chasing a runner
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The animal observes how people flee swimming
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Tasks to mount the Bous square to the sea in Dénia
Insane animal abusers
Es ist ein Frevel und eine Peinlichkeit sondergleichen, dass tierquälerische Anlässe in einer modernen, zivilisierten Welt mit dermassen viel Problemen bezüglich der Natur und anderen Arten nach wie vor hochgelebt werden. Tiere unter Applaus zu quälen ist nun wahrlich keines gebildeten Menschen würdig und zeugt von Empathielosigkeit und rückständischem Denken.
Wenn die typisch spanischen Argumente derjenigen die unbedingt an diesen Tierquälereien festhalten wollen stimmen würden, so hätten wir heute noch Sklavenarbeit und Hexenverfolgung!!
I completely agree with you, it is brutality and torture for the animal. should not be celebrated
entièrement d'accord avec vous. what the hell !!!! et combien de manifestations de ce genre dans le monde entier sous pretexte de soi disant «traditions». Il faut évoluer et prendre en compte la souffrance animale!!!
more names of humains are incapable of empathy and compassion envers les animaux
Well you have to see the good part too. We are in February and we are already talking about the bous a la mar and the Dénia festivities.
Good photographic report.
Thank you.
Let there be talk of the bous a la mar even if it is wrong!!!. it's good:
1st the local holiday is the second Wednesday after Sant Pere. This year it will be on July 15, so the festivities will start on Saturday the 11th.
2° The day of the Santísima Sang SI that there are bous to the sea in the morning and in the afternoon. It is the Saturday afternoon of floats when there are none.
3° Normally there are 3 running of the bulls on Calle Campos and the port of Dénia: Saturday, Monday and Friday.
4th History: «its relevance has been passing into the background over time» IT IS A BIG LIE. WITHOUT ELS BOUS A LA MAR THERE ARE NO PARTIES IN DÉNIA.
This phrase was left over in the report because it is a personal opinion of someone who I doubt understands what els Bous a la Mar are for a neighbor, a resident of Denia.
Thanks for the report.
It may be fun for the spectators, but not for the bull.
God first time that these events scares me but I think it should be fun
Es ist ein Frevel und eine Peinlichkeit sondergleichen, dass tierquälerische Anlässe in einer modernen, zivilisierten Welt mit dermassen viel Problemen bezüglich der Natur und anderen Arten nach wie vor hochgelebt werden. Tiere unter Applaus zu quälen ist nun wahrlich keines gebildeten Menschen würdig und zeugt von Empathielosigkeit und rückständischem Denken.
Wenn die typisch spanischen Argumente derjenigen die unbedingt an diesen Tierquälereien festhalten wollen stimmen würden, so hätten wir heute noch Sklavenarbeit und Hexenverfolgung!!