Tolosa topic

TOPIC, Tolosa's International Puppet Centre, radiates magic to the core, where imagination, innovation and originality go hand in hand. This is the only centre in Europe focusing exclusively on the puppet's world. In fact, we should not forget that Tolosa has always had a very tight connection with this art, as the international festival Titirijai proves. 

The ground floor plays host to the modern auditorium with a capacity of 250 spectators, and staging and rehearsal rooms, whereas the first floor has a cafeteria and a buffet restaurant to hold performances or exhibitions of intimate atmosphere. On that very floor can be found the puppet storeroom, which keeps the pieces that are not on display. As to the second floor, the permanent and temporary exhibitions take place in here. It should also be noted that the wide TOPIC collection consists of over 1,500 puppets from 40 countries. 

To finish, the archives, the documentation centre (DVDs, books, posters, photos…), artists' and researchers' headquarters and rooms for workshops are situated on the third floor, whereas the fourth holds choir rehearsals. 

Bullring of Tolosa

Third class bullring that holds 5,500 people distributed in 5 "tendidos," sort of sections in a bullring. 

Besides the bullfights, "novilladas" and festivals, this ring is an important meeting centre, scene of the famous Tolosa Carnivals. At carnivals time, all kinds of celebrations take place such as the "toros embolados," a type of bullrunning where bulls wear protective fireballs on the horns. 

The bullring was open in 1903, with bullfighters such as "Guerrerito" and "Bonarillo." This ring is remarkable for its proportional shape and its extraordinary acoustics. It measures 37.5 metres and has a 1.8 metres-long alley. It is also equipped with two stockyards, 7 pens, horse yard and stables and infirmary.

SANTA MARIA

Built in the Gothic-Basque style (C. XVII). The group of pillars make up three naves of the same height, each finished with a ribbed vault.  In 1761, the architect Martin de Carrera created the baroque facade we see today and, at the turn of the 19th Century, Silvestre Perez restored and gave this magnificent church, occupying  1,630m2 , a touch of the neoclassical.

As far as the inside is concerned, we can admire a central altarpiece, as well as several images painted on the side walls. These alterations of a neoclassic nature were introduced at the beginning of the 19th century by the architect Silvestre Pérez.