This fronton, is located in the Chamberí district, it is the only reminder of a time when the frontons formed the first stable sports facilities in the city of Madrid. The arrival took place thanks to the fact that the city of San Sebastian was the resort town of Madrid's bourgeoisie, which allowed the arrival of Basque entrepreneurs in the capital that promoted the construction of large industrial frontons, such as the ones in New York, Buenos Aires and other cities around the world.
The frontons were developed as major meeting places where gambling, bars and restaurants generated a great economic activity. The businessman Jose Arana Elorza put Joaquin Rucoba in charge of building a large fronton on the street Marques de Riscal in 1893, which later became known as the Beti-Jai, a long outdoor racquetball court whose curved stands distributed in several benches could house up to 4,000 spectators with perfect visibility.
Beti-Jai remained hidden from the locals who were unaware even of its existence.
Built in Neo-mudejar and in a clearly sumptuous style, with the arrival of other sports, such as football, began its decline. The demolition was on the table for many years and after its re-discovery some protection was achieved, being classified by the city as an special building, pressing to be labeled as Building of Cultural Interest (BIC) under the category of monument. Urban interests are constantly putting pressure on the Beti-Jai to the point when, in 2005, it was proposed that the building should be taken out of the catalog to build a luxury hotel, the proposal was rejected. Already in 2011, after some pressure from citizen groups such as the platform Salvemos el Frontón Beti-Jai de Madrid, the Beti-Jai officially became a Building of Cultural Interest.
First release "Beti-Jai, Sistine Chapel of the Ball"
Premiere.- May 30, 2015
Place.- Sala Artistic Metropol (Cigarreras street, 6, Madrid)
Pass.- 18.00hy 7:00 p.m.
Access.- free admission until completed capacity. , se consigue que el Beti-Jai se convierta oficialmente en Bien de Interés cultural.
