You probably know this bull because you’ve been to Spain or you’ve seen it in pictures. Yes, this is a symbol for this country but did you know that these Spanish bulls were originally advertisement signs?
The Spanish bulls can be seen throughout the country when traveling on the roads. They have become a remarkable landmark and also a protected cultural symbol of Spain. Every time I see one when traveling somewhere in Spain, I get really excited and start telling everyone in the car the history of this symbol. Very few know that they were actually an advertisement at first but the product they were advertising is even more interesting!
I’m going to give you a hint: you can use the product to make cocktails or add to your cooking recipes.
BRANDY! (if you guessed it, get yourself a drink!)
But hey, I got another fun fact for you: the bulls today aren’t the originals.
The first bulls were smaller in size and a little different. They were changed to the ones today after some changes in the law came to effect: no alcoholic beverage advertisement on roadsides. However, people felt identified with these signs so it eventually became part of the identity of the nation and landscape as well. During the change, some of the signs were lost though and only a few remain.
Timeline
1956: The Osborne Group made this bull advertisement for their Brandy Veterano de Jerez.
1958: First wooden signs are set up measuring 4m high. The horns of the bull were white and a red label advertising the drink
1961: The material is changed to metal to be more resistant. They also increased in size to the 7m high
1988: Law changes ordering to remove all advertisements from national highways. The bulls were painted all black removing the brandy advertisement but the structure remains.
1994: Law orders the removal of the Osborne Bulls. Local governments, associations and everyone protested to maintain the signs.
1997: The bulls are categorized as cultural interest.
1998: The bulls pass to be a national symbol and loses the commercial meaning.
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