The most beautiful fronton in the world, the Beti-Jai, hosts a match 110 years later

The pediment Beti-Jai (Always Fiesta, in Basque), built in 1893, it hosted its last official Basque pelota match in 1914although it was in operation until 1919. During the defense of Madrid in the Civil war It was a police station and during the Franco era it was used as a rehearsal place for the music band of the Phalanx. Later, the property passed to the Citröen house, which used it as a workshop. That is, it was left in the hands of God. In 2011 it was declared Asset of Cultural Interest for the Community of Madrid and this weekend, despite suffering for many years in abandoned conditions, he returned to activity after being rehabilitated. They did it with a big crowd to host a ball game. Like all life.

Not even the oldest people in the place remember anything like that.. Fernando Larumbe, expelotari and member of the association ‘Let’s save Beti-Jai’, He described the day as “historic. The support of the institutions and the push of the fans has been key to maintaining the enthusiasm.” Although the wonderful stands (with capacity for 4,000 people on four levels) could not be used, tickets were sold out in a few minutes. Marta Rivera de la Cruzdelegate of the Culture, Tourism and Sports Area of ​​the Madrid City Councilcelebrated the initiative that has returned the ball to the fronton. He never had to leave there. “People have responded phenomenally.”

He Beti-Jaiwhich has just become the oldest sports venue in Europe, was a forgotten temple. Its construction in 1893 cost 500.000 pesetas of the time as a project by the Basque builder José Arana. The amount was a fortune, but baseball was a national sport at that time. There were four pediments like this only in Madrid. The passage of time, various vicissitudes, the Civil War and its effects, and the Franco regime, which forgot its original uses, coincided with the loss of interest in Basque pelota. The party ended at the Beti-Jai. Now the heart of the fronton has beaten again.

The new Beti-Jailocated where always, very close to Paseo de la Castellana, in the calle Marques de Riscal of the Madrid district of Chamberí, has a permanent exhibition where you can also learn about the history of its rehabilitation and the entire reform process that has returned it to activity.

The weekend sports exhibition, organized by the Madrid Pelota Federationhas had eight games, in frontenis mode or with the hand. There are two types, short and 36 meter pediment. The competition was the least of it. One of the most beautiful sports venues in the world recovered part of its soul.