Four generations of artists have taken the art of the classic circus around the world, making the Raluy family one of the great references of the historical circus in Europe.
On this page you will find the story of the Raluy family, its awards, its current branches and the interactive family tree with all its members.
Go to the family tree ↓Family roots in Aragon and artistic development linked to Catalonia and the European circus.
Luis Raluy Iglesias, a fundamental figure in the history of the Raluy family and the classic circus.
Four active artistic generations within a family trajectory of more than a century.
Rosa Raluy currently runs the Raluy Historical Circus together with William Giribaldi.
When talking about the history of the circus in EuropeIt's impossible not to talk about the Raluy familyThe Raluy family is today one of the most renowned circus dynasties on the continent. More than one hundred years of history, four active generations of artists, and a passion for the arts. historical circus that is passed from parents to children.
El Historical Raluy Circus It's part of that family history. It's one of the current branches of the saga: a living artistic project with century-old wagons, family artists, and a vision of the classic circus that remains true to its roots.
La Raluy family It is part of the history of the classic European circus. Its trajectory, developed over more than a century, connects the itinerant tradition, artistic creation and the preservation of an exceptional circus heritage.
When searching for information about the history of the Raluy circusIt is not just a company we are talking about, but a family saga that has kept alive its own unique stage language: historic wagons, nomadic life, classic stagecraft and generational continuity.
El Historical Raluy Circus It falls within that trajectory and today represents one of the most recognizable expressions of historical circus in Europe.
The origins of the Raluy family date back to fonzFonz, a small historic village in the Aragonese Pyrenees, in the Cinca Medio region (Huesca). Francisco and Francisca Raluy were the first of the family, although not circus performers. Fonz is the documented origin of the saga, the geographical point where the surname begins before their descendants took the Raluy Circus throughout Europe. Their son Luis would be the one to take the Raluy name to the world's greatest stages.
Born in Carcassonne, France, in 1911, Luis Raluy grew up in Sant Adrià del Besòs, where he performed acrobatic displays on the beach and in the streets of the neighborhood. He earned the nickname of The Tiger of Sant AdriàA versatile man and complete artist, he built the cannon for his Human Cannonball act with his own hands and perfected the Triple Somersault in a Car, a unique act in the world.
Marina Tomàs Jorba, born in Igualada into a well-to-do family, fell in love with the acrobat and traded her settled life for a nomadic one. Together they toured the great European circuses and starred in a historic tour of Africa and Asia with Circo Brasil: Madagascar, Nairobi, Hong Kong. Those decades as guest artists in circuses throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia were the seed of the family project that would follow.
In 1972, the family transitioned from traveling artists to their own business structure, with a collection of century-old wagons that Luis Raluy Iglesias had been assembling for decades. Carlos Raluy, the second of the four children, was the driving force behind the project, both artistically and entrepreneurially, and the mastermind behind its concept: a circus museumwhere classical aesthetics, living heritage, and spectacle merged into a single offering. This trajectory would definitively adopt the name Raluy Circus during the Christmas period of 1986–1987. In 1996, the project was recognized with the National Circus Award from the Spanish Ministry of Culture.
The Raluy family's trajectory was recognized with the Cree de Sant Jordi, the most important cultural distinction in Catalonia awarded by the Generalitat, in recognition of his work in preserving circus heritage and his contribution to Catalan popular culture.
The original Raluy Circus project diversified in 2016 into various family-oriented offerings. Historical Raluy CircusDirected by Rosa Raluy, the show continues an artistic style based on the vision developed by Carlos Raluy: a family circus, century-old wagons, and a high-level artistic spectacle. The Raluy sisters, Kimberley and Jillian, the fourth generation, are already performing in the ring.
In 2016, the Raluy family's shared business trajectory diversified into different family ventures. Today, various branches of the family develop their own circus projects, each with its own distinct artistic identity.
Directed by Rosa Raluy Chy y William GiribaldiOn the track, the fourth generation: The Raluy Sisters, Kimberley and Jillian.
A project that continues the artistic vision developed by Carlos Raluy, featuring century-old wagons, classic aesthetics, and a high-level artistic spectacle. Current show: GROUND.
Official website →Co-directed by the sisters Luisa y Kerry Raluy Rastall, daughters of Lluís Raluy Tomàs. On the track, Sunday, Emily, Benicio y Charmelle Raluy.
Independent artistic project born from the family diversification of 2016, with its own identity, cast and tour.
Historically linked to Eduardo Raluy Tomàs, third son of Luis Raluy Iglesias and Marina Tomàs Jorba.
Historically, they have toured the Balearic Islands. It represents a parallel artistic branch within the family's trajectory.
The Raluy Historical Circus doesn't just interpret the past: it lives it. Everything the audience finds in the ring and around the big top is part of a family tradition passed down from generation to generation.
Few families in Europe can claim that their history is not preserved, but rather lives on every day under a tent.
A collection of wagons, trucks, and caravans from the early 20th century, restored by the family and still in active use today. A living heritage of classic European circus.
The circus's outdoor area is a living museum that the public can explore before the show. Original pieces, real history, period atmosphere.
The Raluy sisters, Kimberley and Jillian, represent the fourth generation on the ice today. Their story is passed down in every performance, from one generation to the next. On this page, the concept of "generation" refers to an artistic generation with professional experience on the ice.
The Raluy family's career has been recognized with important distinctions such as the National Circus Award from the Ministry of Culture and the Creu de Sant Jordi from the Generalitat of Catalonia.
The trajectory of the Raluy family She has been recognized over the years by cultural institutions and by the circus industry itself.
Among these recognitions, the following stand out: National Circus Award and Cree de Sant JordiThese distinctions reflect the cultural importance of the Raluy saga within the history of the circus.
Beyond the awards, the greatest recognition remains in the very permanence of an artistic legacy that continues to live on generation after generation.
The Raluy family is not a story of the past. It is a present reality that takes center stage every night and builds its next chapter before the public.
In front of the Raluy Historical Circus, Rosa RaluyThe project director maintains an artistic style inherited from her father Carlos: a circus where aesthetics, emotion and craftsmanship are inseparable.
The fourth generation —The Raluy Sisters, Kimberley and Jillian— represents the future of a lineage that has its roots in Fonz (Huesca) and that acquired its artistic dimension in Sant Adrià del Besòs, more than one hundred years ago.
TERRA is the show with which the Raluy Historic Circus is touring Catalonia and Spain this season. Created and directed by Rosa Raluy, it is a poetic tribute to nature and the nomadic life of the circus.
Trapeze, balancing acrobatics, Ukrainian swing, comic acts with Sandro Roque and a handmade set design —90% of the costumes are the work of Rosa Raluy— make up a show where classic circus and contemporary artistic language merge naturally.
It's not a special effects show. It's real circus: bodies trained for years, high-level technique, and the magic that only happens under a canvas tent.
Discover TERRAGoing to the Raluy Circus is like returning to something that, without knowing it, we missed.
An experience that combines emotion, nostalgia, and wonder. Suitable for all ages because it appeals to something we all carry within us: the memory of the circus as our first encounter with art. It's not just a show: it's a way of understanding the circus.
The centuries-old horse-drawn carriages, the vintage lighting, and the smell of wood create an atmosphere that cannot be manufactured: it is inherited.
The artists of the Raluy Historic Circus are professionals trained since childhood. What you see in the ring is real technique, without tricks.
From children seeing the circus for the first time to adults who knew it as youngsters, Raluy works for everyone because it's honest.
Explore the Raluy family tree and discover the different branches of one of Europe's most famous circus dynasties. Tap any circle to see the full biography and drag to navigate the tree.
A selection of essential names to understand the history, legacy and continuity of the Raluy saga.
The first great artist of the family and a founding figure of the Raluy circus tradition. His name is linked to the beginnings of the family circus.
An essential companion in the family's artistic expansion, linked to major tours and the international growth of the saga.
Promoter of a decisive artistic vision within the history of the family and a key figure in the development of the circus museum and historical heritage.
Artistic director of the Raluy Historical Circus and current reference figure within the Raluy family.
Director of the current project and key collaborator in the artistic projection of the Raluy Historical Circus.
Fourth generation of the saga on the track, symbol of the present and artistic future of the Raluy family.
Tap any name to open their full biography in the family tree.
Discover the current show of the Raluy Historic Circus and its artistic proposal.
Check the current city of the Raluy Historic Circus and the upcoming tour locations.
The Raluy sisters, Kimberley and Jillian, the fourth generation of the artistic dynasty, perform today under the big top of the Raluy Historic Circus. Their show, TERRA, tours cities in Catalonia and throughout Spain. Check the upcoming cities and performances on the website of the tour of the Raluy Historical CircusYou can discover more about the circus's artistic proposal on the website of Raluy Historical Circus show.
Each season, thousands of spectators discover the Raluy Historic Circus in different cities. Performances are limited and many sell out in advance.
