Las Ventas Bullring Madrid (audio-tour)
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Las Ventas Madrid - by Robert Rubino on Google
Description
The plaza de toros de Las Ventas is Spain's largest bullfighting ring with an arena 60m in diameter and a seating capacity of nearly 24,000 spectators. It was designed in Neo-Mudéjar (Moorish Revival) style with ceramic representations of the heraldic crests of each province of Spain and opened in 1931 in the Salamanca district of Madrid. There are 5 gates, each with a different purpose and 3 "toriles" for the bulls' entrance. The bullfighting takes places on Sundays (or holidays) during the Season from March to October and every day during the San Isidro Fiesta (San Isidro Labrador is Madrid's patron saint). The activity reviewed here is the self-guided audio tour, but private group visits can also be arranged (different price) in Spanish, French, English or Russian.
Access & Transport
The bullring is located at 237 Calle de Alcalá There is a dedicated metro station named Ventas (2, 5) and a couple of bus stops around (12, 21, 38, 53, 106, 110, 146). For the visits, the parking next to Las Ventas at 79 Calle de Roberto Domingo is the best option if space is available.
Instructions & Recommendations
*** It is advisable to book tickets online to ensure availability *** Note to parents: no minimum age applies but you should use your discretion in assessing whether the content is likely to be appropriate for your children. This activity combines well with an exploration of the Salamanca neighbourhood.
Environmental & Social
Environmentally neutral. Socially - a huge negative (bullfighting concept) mixed with a bit of positive (the artistic aspect)
Conclusion
We are a bit on the fence regarding the tour of Las Ventas; on one hand bullfighting is absolutely unconscionable, no matter how much "culture" you paint it with, but there are definitely a lot of artistic aspects to the show which are worth discovering. Hopefully, there will be an evolution that involves keeping the good but no live animals...
Key positive
An excellent introduction to the concept and experience of bullfighting
Impressive arena and building architecture
Key negative
Seems to ignore animal cruelty
A little expensive for an audio-tour
Suitability
Not recommended for younger children. The website states that the tour is wheelchair accessible.
About this Rating
TYPE
Desktop
RESEARCHED IN
June 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:0h 25m
est. visit time:1h 15m
Start of Season 1:Apr, 01
MONDAY10:00 - 19:00
TUESDAY10:00 - 19:00
WEDNESDAY10:00 - 19:00
THURSDAY10:00 - 19:00
FRIDAY10:00 - 19:00
SATURDAY10:00 - 19:00
SUNDAY10:00 - 19:00
Start of Season 2:Nov, 01
MONDAY10:00 - 18:00
TUESDAY10:00 - 18:00
WEDNESDAY10:00 - 18:00
THURSDAY10:00 - 18:00
FRIDAY10:00 - 18:00
SATURDAY10:00 - 18:00
SUNDAY10:00 - 18:00