Viejo Coso, 19th century square in Valladolid, Spain
Viejo Coso is an octagonal plaza in Valladolid featuring continuous brick facades with wooden exterior galleries that echo Roman architectural principles. The central area contains green space, while the surrounding levels hold residential apartments that maintain the traditional corrala style.
The plaza was founded in 1834 as Valladolid's first bullring with capacity for 8,000 spectators. By 1890, its role in hosting fights ended and the structure was converted into housing for residents.
The space shows how neighbors gather in the open corridors and use the central garden as a meeting point in their daily routines. It reflects the transformation of a place built for spectacle into a residential community where ordinary life unfolds.
The square can be accessed from San Quirce and San Ignacio streets and offers open access during daylight hours. Since it has no formal restrictions, visitors can pass through at almost any time for a walk or to explore the grounds.
This place faded from public attention for many years until local conservation efforts brought it back into focus in recent decades. Today it stands as a quiet space where the past exists alongside modern residential life.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
