Las Ventas

The Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas is a famous bullring in Madrid (Spain).

Situated in the barrio of Guindalera in the district of Salamanca, it was inaugurated on June 17, 1931. It has a seating capacity of 25,000 and is regarded as the home of bullfighting in Spain.

This bullring was designed by an architect called Espeliú. Its style is Neo-Mudéjar (Moorish) with pottery incrustations. The seats are situated in 10 "tendidos". The price of the seats depends upon how close they are to the "arena" and whether they are in the sun or the shade (the latter being more expensive). The bullfighting season starts in March and ends in December; bullfights are held every day during the San Isidro Fiesta, and every Sunday or holiday during the season. Bullfights start at 6 or 7pm and last for two to three hours.

"Las Ventas" is located in the east of Madrid. It is recommended to use the Metro de Madrid (Las Ventas station is on lines 2 and 5), or any of the city buses which stop next to the bullring.

History

From 1913 to 1920, the national celebration (bullfighting) gained such an important status that Madrid's former main bullring in Carretera de Aragon was not big enough. It was José Gómez Ortega "Joselito" who declared that a new "monumental" bullring had to be built, to open this piece of heritage and culture to the whole city of Madrid. His friend and architect José Espeliu began to work on the project.

A family called Jardón gave the land to the Deputy of Madrid, provided that they could run the arena for fifty years. The deputation accepted the proposal on November 12, 1920. On March 19, 1922, in the exact center of the prospective arena, the first stone was placed. The construction of the bullring would cost 12 million pesetas (4.5 million over budget), and it would replace the old bullring, dating from 1874.

"Las Ventas" was finished in 1929 and two years later, June 17, 1931, a charity bullfight was held with a full capacity crowd to inaugurate it. Bullfighting stopped during the Spanish Civil War and did not resume until May 1939.

In 1996, Australian rock band AC/DC performed at the Las Ventas for their Ballbreaker World Tour. They recorded the performance on DVD for the concert video, "", as a reference to the fact they were playing at a bullfighting arena, with no bull present.

In 2008, it was converted into an tennis clay court and the Spanish Davis Cup Team, lead by the rampant Rafael Nadal played their semifinal against the United States, and won it in front of their home crowd.

There is a Pasodoble called 'Plaza de las Ventas' who composed Maestro Manuel Lillo dedicated to this arena.

Situation

"Las Ventas" is divided in a ring or "arena", and a group of zones called "patios". Its architecture is mudejar, with pottery representations of the heraldic crests of the different Spanish provinces on them. The "arena" has a diameter of 60 meters. The seating capacity is divided into 10 "tendidos" (group of 27 rows around the "arena"), some of them in the shade and the rest in the sun. The prices of the tickets are more expensive in the shade and in the rows which are nearer to the "arena" or crowned by bleachers, gradins, boxes and covered grandstands.

The president of the 'corrida' sits in the 10th Tendido. The Royal Box is of outstanding design, with its arabesque architecture [mudejar], a complete bathroom and a lift. Opposite to the Royal Box, in the covered grandstand roof, is the clock. The bullring has five gates, plus three more called "toriles", from where the bulls enter the arena. The door of "cuadrillas", between "tendidos" 3 and 4, has access to the horse yard. In this door, the "paseillo" starts and the "picadores"(those who punish the bull with the lance) come out from here to the arena ("suerte de varas"). The dragging door, that leads to the skinning room, is between "tendidos" 1 and 2. The famous "Puerta Grande" (Big Door), also called the Door of Madrid, is between "tendidos" 7 and 8. Going out through this door, especially during the Fiesta of San Isidro, is every bullfighter's ambition. There is also a chapel and a small sick bay with two operating rooms.

External links

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Madrid City Tours
21 May 2012
Feria de San Isidro The world most renowned as well as upcoming bullfighters are gethering in Madrid. Feria del Arte y la Cultura taurina (Bullfighting Art and Culture) it has 5 traditional fights.
Marianne Petty
6 April 2014
The tour is interesting and good value for money, includes the audio guide. Not sure I'd want to go to an actual bull fight. They take place every Sunday.
Veenasya Sidhu
17 June 2013
Amazing experience! they have 6-7 sets of bullfighting lined up. if you can't stand the sun, get seats in the shaded section. be warned, they will not let you into the arena if a set has already begun
RAKAN
9 November 2022
Beautiful building with so much history. Different events are held here through out the year.
Leo W
10 September 2018
Important notes : if you need to go to restroom between fights , you have to come pack before the next fight begins or they would lock you outside till the next break, which is around 30 mins.
Angelika
25 May 2015
If you want to get to know more about bullfighting, this is the place to visit. The tour explains everything in detail.
Load more comments
foursquare.com
8.6/10
55,174 people have been here

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Occidental Madrid Este Hotel

starting $162

Eco Alcala Suites

starting $122

Silken Torre Garden Hotel

starting $138

Hotel Julia

starting $98

Travelodge Madrid Alcala

starting $115

Apartamentos Apr Alcala

starting $65

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Torrespaña

Torrespaña (literally 'Spain Tower') is a 231 m (757.87 ft)

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
National Archaeological Museum of Spain

The National Museum of Archaeology (Spanish: Museo Nacional de

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales

The Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales de España is the National

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Puerta de Alcalá

The Puerta de Alcalá ('Alcalá Gate', from the Arabic word ا

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Buen Retiro Park

The Jardines del Buen Retiro or Parque del Buen Retiro (literally

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Palacio de Cristal

The Palacio de Cristal ('Crystal Palace') is a glass and metal

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Convent of the Salesas Reales

The Convent of the Salesas Reales refers to an 18th century

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Forest of the Departed

The Forest of the Departed (Spanish: Bosque de los Ausentes) or Forest

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Stade Roland Garros

Le Stade de Roland Garros ('Roland Garros Stadium') is a tennis venue

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Circuit Park Zandvoort

Circuit Park Zandvoort is a motorsport race track located in

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Suzuka Circuit

Suzuka International Racing Course (鈴鹿サーキット, Suzuka Sākitto), Suz

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Okayama International Circuit

The Okayama International Circuit (formerly known as TI Circuit Aida)

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Circuit de la Sarthe

The Circuit de la Sarthe, located near Le Mans, France, is a

See all similar places