Bullfighting, Sevilla

Why, watch a bullfight, of course!

Sevilla has arguably the BEST bullring in all of Spain - Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza. For first-timers like myself, the Corrida (or bullfight) can be very exciting and yet, gory. I sat riveted on my seat. Mesmerized by it all. And dazzled by the matadors' many different (and glittering) outfits... What an experience!

Missed the bullfighting by about a month so thought id check out the bullfighting ring and museum it was quite interesting and theres alot of history here, i personally think its cruel on the beast and thought it was unfair when i heard that the bull that kills a matador is exicuted and its siblings or blood lines are wiped out well its just not fair is it , you see a few spainish guys walking around with sever limps etc you cant help wondering if it was done during the running of the bulls.

Seville's bullring is one of the most elegant and probably one of the oldest in Spain (1758). Bullfighting on foot instead of horseback began here in the 18th century. Guided visits of the ring and it's museum are given in English and Spanish every 20 minutes for 3 Euros 9.30am-2pm & 3pm-7pm daily, 9.30am-3pm bullfighting days.

I decided to go to a bullfight even though I wasn't sure how I felt about them. This is an important part of Sevillan culture though, so I had to check it out. It's true that it doesn't seem quite like a fair fight--the bull's going down no matter what. But then again, as a meat-eater, it seems to me that they get treated better during their lifetimes than the average cow headed for McDonald's.

The fight itself is interesting--there are several stages where the matador tries to tire the bull out, then these guys on horseback come out to tire him out even more...finally the matador must make the kill. At the bullfight I attended, the matador even got a little scraped on the leg. People were really into it all--not unlike a baseball game in the U.S.

Sevilla is one of the best known centers of bullfighting (corrida) in Spain. Typically, the season starts from Easter until late October. Bullfights occurs on Sundays or on special festivals. The best are the ones during the Feria de Abril (April Fair) held 1-2 weeks after Easter. The Feria is the best holiday in Spain where Sevillanos dress in traditional Andalucian costumes and dance the Sevillana.

You can buy la corrida tickets from the stadium at the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza located at Calle Adriano and Paseo de Colon. 2003 prices range from $20 - $270 (USD).

Tickets can also be reserved but not purchased by calling (34-95) 450-1382 OR at www.maestranza.com

Further info also from the Tourist Office of Spain (New York office) 212-265-8822; located at 666 Fifth Ave, 35th Floor, New York, NY 10103.

The matador ('star') with his peones (junior bullfighter), wearing colourful tights and vest. I think this metador's is wearing the traje de luces (suit of lights). Can you see this metador holding one ear in his right hand??? After the kill, the crowd were on their feet waving white handkerchiefs in the air appealing to the president to award the matador an ear (oreja) of the dead bull. Due to the crowd's enthusiasm, the president waved a white handkerchief at his balcony signalling an ear to be awarded to the metador.

The picture shows a team of dray horses and man for pulling the bull out of the ring after it died. These horses and men will run into the ring and run out of the ring with the bull being dragged along to the exit. I read that the meat will end up in the butcher shop.

It's really bloody and cruel.but you must to see this when you in Sevilla.it's about spirit of metador.i had stomach pain and sob when bulls were killed.you know it's alive.and so many people watch the bull be tortured to die.

I think a bull fight is something everyone should go and see. Don't ever root for the bull though, it is considered a great insult.
During the festival week in Sevilla they have the bull fighters on horseback. It's interesting to see and has been done for hundreds of years.

You must see an authentic Spanish bullfight if you are in Sevilla. It is an interesting aspect of Spanish culture to experience although it is a bit bloody and brutal.