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Among all forms of Spanish heritage and symbolism, the Osborne Bull stands as perhaps the most iconic. This powerful silhouette has earned its place as one of the emblems that make this country internationally recognised, which explains why these imposing black figures appear along Spanish roads throughout the nation.

 

Across the dual carriageways, motorways and country roads of Spain, dozens of these distinctive monuments can be spotted by drivers. Yet there are two notable exceptions: one is Catalonia, which removed theirs due to various political and cultural reasons, while the other has genuinely surprised many social media users when they discovered this curious gap.

 

Nearly seven decades have passed since the Osborne Bull first appeared on Spanish roads as part of an advertising campaign. The story began with large billboards for the Osborne Group, which were systematically installed across different locations, starting with the first placement on the highway between Madrid and Burgos.

 

What started as commercial advertising gradually evolved into something much more significant, becoming a cultural symbol and icon of Spain that spread throughout the country.

 

The Osborne Bull has not been without controversy throughout its history. Over the years, some billboards have been removed amid debates about their place in the Spanish landscape. Despite these challenges, it remains a powerful emblem of national identity, with many still standing proudly along Spanish roads.

 

The cultural significance of these monuments was officially recognized in 1997, when a Supreme Court ruling deemed them "integrated into the landscape," establishing them as authentic Spanish monuments.

At the peak of their presence, more than 500 of these billboards were installed across the country, though today there are just over 90 remaining.

 

The distribution of these iconic bulls reflects their deep integration into Spanish culture. Andalucía leads with the highest concentration, featuring 24 Osborne bulls along its roads. These distinctive monuments maintain a presence in virtually every autonomous community, from Madrid and Castilla-La Mancha to Extremadura, and extending to Galicia, the Valencian Community and even the Basque Country.

 

However, two regions notably break this pattern. The last Osborne Bull in Catalonia was actually only installed in 2016 but was demolished shortly afterward. More surprisingly for many, there is another region in Spain that lacks an Osborne Bull: Murcia.

 

The revelation came through a map of Spain showing the locations of Osborne bulls across the country, leading to widespread surprise and debate among users. Social media reactions have been mixed and sometimes heated.

 

Some users argue that "they should all be thrown out," while others specifically criticise Murcia's absence with comments like "It's not as if they were Catalonia," "What's wrong with Murcia?" or "Then they complain that in Spain they say Murcia doesn't exist."

 

The legal landscape surrounding these monuments became more complex in 1998, when legislation prohibited advertising along roadsides. This law has led to varying interpretations by regional governments about whether the Osborne Bull should be considered advertising or, as the Supreme Court concluded, an integral part of the national landscape.

 

Many bulls were removed following this legal change, which is why the number has dwindled so dramatically across the board and to zero in the Region of Murcia.

 

Despite the absence of bulls in Murcia, there have been efforts to change this situation. In the last decade, Murcian authorities pursued the return of the Osborne Bull through a dedicated project, though this initiative ultimately fell by the wayside.

 

Looking beyond mainland Spain, the distribution pattern continues to vary: Ceuta is another region without an Osborne Bull, while the Spanish autonomous city of Melilla does have one.

 

Through decades of controversy, legal battles and regional politics, the Osborne Bull has somehow managed to survive and thrive. Perhaps that's not so surprising after all. When you're built like a bull, you're bound to be pretty stubborn about sticking around.

 

Images: Wikimedia Commons