Las Ventas Bullring

Beyond the debate of being pro or against bullfighting, no one can deny going to Las Ventas is an unforgettable experience.

The building of this amazing bullring started in 1922 and it was inaugurated in 1931 in the outskirts of Madrid, surrounded by miserable houses at the time. Now, everything around has radically changed, and it is only a short subway trip in away from the the center of the capital.

The great bullfight of Las Ventas is on San Isidro, on May 15th. A few days before and after Las Ventas is all dressed up to receive the best matadors and animals. The bullfight, especially if you are not a Spaniard like me, leaves you flabbergasted. The grades packed with people, the men smoking cigars, observing and giving their opinion on a bull game impossible to understand, the matador with his bullfighter's costume performing wonderful passes, the bull charging furious, the nodding of the people waving white handkerchiefs.

Las Ventas is the bullring of Madrid. It was built in 1929 and it is the biggest bullring in the world! The bullfights season takes place from March to October.

But the bullring puts its best clothes on for the Feria de San Isidro in May and the Feria de Otoño in September. It is a place visited by tourists but also local fans. You can buy tickets for the bullfights anywhere in Madrid.

When there is no bullfight, this bullring becomes the place for concerts of famous international and national bands.

Bullfight in las ventas is a great cultural experience in Madrid. It is a fight between the beast and the human. There are other forms involve dancing around or over bull, or attempting to grasp an object from the animal. Traditional music and wine in La Bota makes it even more interesting.