The Bulls of Guisando, zoomorphic basalt sculptures carved over two millennia ago by the Vetton people
The Bulls of Guisando are a set of remarkable zoomorphic basalt sculptures emerging from the landscape of the Sierra de Gredos near El Tiemblo (Ávila). Carved more than two millennia ago by the Vetton people, these enigmatic figures have silently witnessed royal pacts and legends that still shape the memory of Castilla y León today.
What are the Bulls of Guisando?
Four sculptures measuring between 1.5 and 2.5 meters in length, representing animals with horns and schematic features. Though commonly called “bulls,” they may be inspired by verracos (wild boars) or sacred animals of Vetton culture.
Where and how are they located?
Set upon a slight rocky promontory in an oak dehesa, beside the path connecting El Tiemblo and Arenas de San Pedro. The figures are aligned and face west, blending into a place of great natural beauty.
Origin and dating
They date back to the Late Iron Age (2nd–1st centuries BC), when the Vettones dominated the area. Carved directly on large rock blocks, they formed part of a landscape dedicated to protector deities of livestock and tribute rituals.
What historic legend surrounds them?
In 1468, Princess Isabel of Castile pledged eternal love to Ferdinand of Aragon “seated on the Bulls of Guisando.” This pact, known as the “Vows of Guisando,” paved the way for the dynastic union that birthed modern Spain.
How to visit
- Location: AV-932 road, km 8, next to the Barreros recreational area.
- Free access: the open-air site has no entrance fee and is well signposted.
- Guided tours: available in high season from the El Tiemblo Tourist Office.
- Hours: accessible from dawn to dusk as it is a public monument.
In short, the Bulls of Guisando are a meeting point between prehistoric art, medieval history, and mountainous nature: a must-see for those wishing to contemplate the ancestral echo of the Vettones and relive the making of a united Spain.
How to get there
Decimal: 40.360556°, -4.441667°
DMS: 40°21'38" N, 4°26'30" O
