Still Discovering Spain...

Boxed in by buildings on all sides, the ruins of Madrid's Frontón Beti-Jai sports complex is a hidden relic right in the heart of a bustling modern city.

Originally built in 1894, the arena was one of many in the city, all built to answer the demand of a populace who were crazed about sports. Four floors of audience stands were built, curving in a j-shape at one end of the field, able to accommodate around 4,000 spectators. In addition to sports, the arena saw concerts, horse shows, and political rallies among other events. The Beti-Jai Fronton is the last of its kind still standing and the oldest commercial Fronton stadium in Spain. It marked the beginning of professional sport in Spain and was unique in it's architecture and design. A true sporting treasure.

Unfortunately the fun and games came to an end in 1936 when the civil war broke out and the former sports complex was converted into a makeshift police station. This would be the last time the space was actually used. By the late 1970s the inter-urban space had been abandoned.

Despite a number of failed rehabilitation proposals over the year, the Frontón Beti-Jai still lies empty today....