Madrid CapitalNorte MetropolitanoEste MetropolitanoSur MetropolitanoOeste MetropolitanoSierra NorteNordeste ComunidadSudeste ComunidadSudoeste ComunidadSierra SurSierra CentralZona NorteZona SurZona OesteCorredor del HenaresSierra de MadridMadrid CapitalNorte MetropolitanoEste MetropolitanoSur MetropolitanoOeste MetropolitanoSierra NorteNordeste ComunidadSudeste ComunidadSudoeste ComunidadSierra SurSierra CentralZona NorteZona SurZona OesteCorredor del HenaresSierra de Madrid
ES|EN
La Voz de Madrid logo

La Voz de Madrid

Leganés to Celebrate 400 Years as a Villa in 2026

The municipality plans a special program and aims to revive bullfighting events, despite facing legal challenges.

Generic image of the Leganés town hall with traditional architecture.
IA

Generic image of the Leganés town hall with traditional architecture.

The municipality of Leganés is gearing up to celebrate its 400th anniversary as a recognized villa in 2026, a historical milestone that will feature a special program promoted by the City Council.

Leganés is preparing to celebrate a significant anniversary in 2026: 400 years since it was recognized as an independent villa. This historical milestone, dating back to 1625 when the Marquis of Leganés obtained administrative independence from Madrid, will be commemorated with a special program designed to reinforce local identity and highlight the municipality's rich history.
The mayor, Miguel Ángel Recuenco, has emphasized the importance of this event, calling it an opportunity for residents to learn about aspects of Leganés's history that often remain unknown. Among these, he highlighted the former presence of the Royal Guard in the Sabatini building and architectural vestiges from the 15th century in the parish of San Salvador.
As part of the commemoration, the City Council plans for local sports entities to adopt a commemorative logo throughout 2026, integrating it with their own crests. This initiative aims to strengthen the sense of belonging and pride in the city's historical heritage. The commemorative activities, set to begin in the autumn, will focus on showcasing the identity, heritage, and trajectory of Leganés over these four centuries.
The mayor lamented the lack of participation from opposition groups in this commemoration, calling it an "emblematic date" and expressing his hope that "political games" will not prevent a celebration important to the citizens.
Regarding bullfighting events, Recuenco pointed out that a complex legal dispute surrounding the concession of La Cubierta hinders their celebration. The situation involves an insolvency administrator, a creditor with outstanding debt, the original concession holder, and a third party currently leasing the venue, creating a "legal tangle" that complicates the organization of bullfighting events.
The mayor considers the current situation "a shame" and argued that the municipal government is neither "anti nor pro bullfighting," but rather understands these festivities as an integral part of the patron saint celebrations and the desire of Leganés residents to "have a good time." Faced with the possibility of moving the bullfights elsewhere, Recuenco indicated that it would be impractical to install a temporary arena when La Cubierta exists, preferring to forgo bullfights rather than resorting to improvised solutions.

Related News