- Address: Madrid, Calle de Alcalá, 237
- Phone: + 34 (91) 356 22 00
- Coordinates: 40 25'55 "N and 3 39'47" W
- Website: www.las-ventas.com
Perhaps the first association at the mention of Spain is the bullfight. And since we live in the 21st century, there are special arenas for holding famous battles, one of which is the sports arena of the Plaza del Toros Monumental de Las Ventas in Madrid .
In Spain itself, there are many bullfighting grounds, but the Las Ventas arena is considered the most prestigious and famous. In addition, it is the largest in the country and ranks third in size in the world. If to be jewelry exact, the number of seats in the arena is 23798, and its diameter is 61.5 m. The first trial fight was conducted already in 1931, and the solemn opening took place only after three years. As is customary, the arena of Las Ventas in Madrid has its infirmary, a chapel where the matadors pray before the fight, and a souvenir shop.
At the entrance of the arena there are two monuments: one in honor of all the bullfighting fatalities of the matadors, and the second, surprisingly at first glance, is A. Fleming, the inventor of penicillin. Indeed, in the middle of the twentieth century this was almost the only medicine used for serious injuries. Also, the Las Ventas arena since 1951 has its own museum , one of the best not only in Madrid, but also in the whole country. It stores portraits of famous matadors, their weapons and armor and the heads of the defeated bulls, stuffed, of course.
When the schedule allows, arenas hold festivals, festivals and concerts. There were even stars as big as The Beatles, and more modern ones - AC / DC, Shakira, Kylie Minogue and others. From the grandiose national events - in 2008, Davis Cup was held, for which a court was specially assembled in the arena.
Bullfighting is held between March and October, it involves the most professional matadors of Spain. Farms are fighting for the right to provide their bulls, because for them bullfights are the best advertisement.
In the May holidays of St. Isidoro spend a chic bull competition from around the world. During the season there are such events as novillades, when young torero enters the arena. The closing of the next season of fighting is called the Autumn Enchantment, when the famous matadors from all over the world invite to the arena of Las Ventas in Madrid. At this time, performances are daily.
How to get there and see?
Fans of bullfighting to the arena of Las Ventas can be reached by public transport :
- on metro lines L2 and L5, stop Plaza del Toros;
- by buses No. 12, 21, 38, 53, 106, 110, 146;
- by car on the coordinates.
The corrida itself is only held on Sundays, the event lasts a half to two hours. The ticket price depends on the place and comes from € 5 to € 150. Remember that the ticket office closes 4 hours before the start of the fight. With an excursion, the Las Ventas arena can be visited every day from 10:00 to 18:00. Adult ticket can be bought for € 10, child - € 7, children under 5 years old are free.
On a note:
- bull, survived in bullfight, return to the farm and never again invited to battle;
- matador can be a woman, one of the well-known early XX century - Juanita Cruz.
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