THE CEMETERY

At a single gravesite in a cemetery on the northern fringe of Sevilla lie the mortal remains of three of the most successful bullfighters this century.

Atop this gravesite is a statue of a procession bearing an open casket.

Joselito El Gallo ("Gallito") born 1895 who died of trauma eight days after his twenty fifth birthday. Gored by a Viuda de Ortega bull in Talavera de la Reina, May16/1920.

Joselito was the last great bullfighter to use a simple style without ornamintation and his seven years of concurrent majesty with Jaun Belmonte were a true golden age.

Entombed to the left of Joselito is his brother Rafael Go'mez also called El Gallo, which means "The Rooster".

Born on July 16,1882, Rafael was for many years as elegant and graceful a bullfighter as anyone had seen. He was unusually prudent and would often decline to fight bulls he felt might be out to harm him.

His caution served him well: he lived until 1960 and died a hallowed figure.

To the right of Joselito is the gravestone of Ignacio S'anchez Mej'ias. June 4th 1891-1934

Who started his career as Jaun Belmonte's banderillero but decided to become a full matador.

As a bullfighter he had little natural grace , and limited ability, but he brought such pluck and valor to the corrida and became a favourite matador of Andalusia,of which Sevilla is the capital.

After retiring with his health and his fortune he was persuded to make a comeback.

This was a fatal mistake.He was badly gored and died of his injuries.

His friend Federico Garc'ia Lorca dedicated a poem to him, Llanto por Ignacio S'anchez Mej'ias.

A few steps down the path is the grave of Juan Belmonte, 1892-1962.

The tomb is a modernesque sculpture of many-faceted marble resting on a thick white stone base. It looks like no other graveside.

Belmonte's style was a complete contrast.