Bullfighting, Sevilla

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Bullfighting is controversial among Spaniards. Its supporters argue it is an art, its detractors see it as nothing more than glorified cruelty to animals.

I came too late in the year to see a corrida anyway, but i figured i would have a look at the bullring and the museum. Perhaps that would change the image of brutality and barbarism that I have always had of this "sport." The bullring was built in the 1760's and is supposed to be one of the most beautiful in Spain. The size is certainly imposing, it holds about 14,000 spectators, though what some Sevillanos told me was that it was madness to go see a bullfight in July or August, just too hot.

Price for the visit is 6.50 euro which will take you to see the bullring itself, the Museum, the Chapel and the Patio de Caballos. The tour lasts about 45 minutes (supposedly) and was only ok truthfully. It gives you an outline of the development of bullfighting and some of the basics, though in honesty it was far too detailed. You only get to take a look at the main ring, nothing much more, then wander through the museum and chapel. A bit expensive really for what you're getting. Skip it unless you're particularly interested in bullfighting.

May-October 930 am- 8 pm
November- 930 am - 7 pm

This is Seville's riffraff's social meeting place. Here they meet to torture bulls to death just for fun. Don't support cruelty and don't visit Seville until they stop this atrocity; don't breathe the same air as that riffraff. (Este es el lugar de encuentro social de la gentuza de Sevilla. Se reúnen aquí para torturar toros hasta la muerte sólo por diversión.)

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I know many people loathe bullfighting but I found the emotional buildup of the crowd and the showmanship of the matadors thrilling. If you want to experience something truly traditional, this is it. Keep in mind it is a much longer event then you expect it to be (about 3hrs). There are 6 bulls and 3 main fighters.

I bought tickets online but my friend was able to buy them that day at the boxoffice. I spent about 40 euros for shaded seats fairly close to the front (Section: Sombra : Row: TENDIDO). I figured this would be the only bullfight I would ever see so I may as well splurge. There are much cheaper options available but I was grateful to be in the shade as it is very hot in Sevilla in May.

In springtime, there are bullfights (corrida de toros) every week at the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza. If you're in town during the April Fair, there will be bullfights every day that week, and many famous matadors fight bulls during that time. Yes, bullfights involve stabbing, blood, and killing animals, but it's also a huge part of the culture in southern Spain and I think that a trip to Andalucia is not complete without seeing a corrida.

There is also a museum in the bullring that is worth a visit if you're too squeamish to see an actual fight.

The bullfighting ring of Sevilla is a historical place. However, unless you’re really into bullfighting, it’s not worth taking the tour. You get to go into the stands and see the field, but they don’t allow you to get onto the field. Also, there is a museum with bull-fighting memorabilia, but, as someone who doesn’t know anything about bull-fighting, I wasn’t too interested. You also don’t get to visit the area where they keep the bulls. So, really, for 5 euros you get to take a quick peek at the inside of the stadium and a 15-min museum tour. It’s really not worth it. It's open every day 9:30 to 7 (Nov to April) and to 9 (May to Oct).

Terrible terrible terrible! When I visited Sevilla recently, I couldn't believe the 'hype' around bullfighting. When I wandered around the centre of town, and viewed postcards, I was disgusted to see that they featured images of wounded and dead bulls, complete with blood and gore. It really made me wonder how on earth Spain manages to be in the EU. It's not art; it's a barbaric and cruel death, brought about for entertainment. When I read up on the subject recently, I was horrified to learn that the horses used in the 'event' have their vocal cords severed, so that they cannot scream (due to their fear of the bull and all of the ongoing madness) and hence 'upset' the crowd. So apparently watching a bull being tormented, speared, tortured and exhaused to death isn't as upsetting as hearing a horse scream in fear! In a few of the shops around Sevilla, they actually sold battery operated wounded bulls, complete with sound.

To be honest, I was shocked as to the barbarity carried out all in the name of entertainment, and at the elevated postition that the 'art' is held in Spanish 'culture'. Simply a cruel and terrible way to kill an animal - not a cultured way to spend your time, if you want culture, go to an art museum!

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Olé! Wow, what an experience it is to watch a bullfight. It is a mix of gore and art, there is no other way around it. Some find it barbaric, others find it beautiful. I saw both.

Some people won't shut up when you tell them you saw a bullfight and didn't hate it. To them I say: This is a part of Spanish culture, deal with it. (Ironically these same people often proclaim themselves as "champions of diversity.")

Anyway, if you are in Sevilla, I recommend going, just to check it out. There certainly is a lot of blood, eventually I just only watched the matador and toreros.

One of the best parts of all is the music that is played at certain points during the event. You feel transported back hundreds of years ago.

Oh, and on a hot day, make sure to sit in the shade! (Sombra). Otherwise you will bake.

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Went to the bullfights on a Holiday Tuesday. It was our first time at such an event and it took a couple of days of being in Spain before we seriously thought about it. We did enjoy the whole event, the band, the guy selling beer, the people sitting around us, and the main event. People that don't like them should not go.

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How to deny the beauty in this "art"? Imposible.
How to deny the cruelty in this art....Imposible.

Not recomended for very very sensitive people.

You may want to buy "sombra tickets" either in the "primera fila" or "palcos".
The primera fila has also de charm that you can spy what happens around the "ring" all the "ganaderos" and "toreros" gather there for the fight, as well the judges and what they call the "corrida police"

I have never been inside but its a beautiful bull ring from the outside at least. They say its a wonderful place to see the "corrida de toros." Its not called a "fight" in spanish. And its not a sport, its an art. And I have been told that when a really great "matador" is in the ring facing the bull, the moments of silence at the Maestranza in Sevilla are the most beautiful of all bull rings.

The "temorada", season of the "corrida de toros" is late spring and early summer. The most expensive and best seats are in the section called "Sombra" (shade) and the cheapest are in "Sol" (sun), for obvious reasons. For the middle price go for "sol y sombra" sun and shade.