Las Ventas bullring

History if Las Ventas

The name of Las ventas is derived from the neighbourhood where the ring is located (where many ventas where located – a venta is a place to stop for food and something to drink) , the Las Ventas district.  It is built in neo-mudejar style (the same used for the Plaza de España in Seville) and its construction finished in 1931.

Las Ventas is, till today, one of several bull-fight rings in Madrid. The original rings date back to the 18^th century and they were located near the Manzanares river (an area where activities take place during the San Isidro festivals in May). But before this first plaza was put in place, the Plaza Mayor was used to enjoy bull-fights (the use of Plaza mayores was frequent in many Spanish villages and towns). A permanent ring was built in 1749 near La Puerta de Alcala and by 1872 a new ring, close to El Retiro (La plaza de Toros de Goya), was built. Its capacity jumped to 12,000 people where the Wizink sports centre stands today. But this ring soon became small and a very famous Torero, Joselito, campaigned and promoted the idea of the need of a larger plaza in Madrid. A family donated the land and arquitect José Espeliú (a friend of Joselito) was in charge of the project, that was designed in neo-mudejar style. But Espeliú died before the Ring was finished and it was architect Manuel Muñoz Monasterio (in charge of building the Bernabeu stadium) who took over and finished the project.

Artists like the Beatles, AC-DC, Diana Ross or Coldplay have played at Las Ventas.

How many people can Las Ventas hold?

During a corrida Las Ventas can hold almost 24.000 people.

What is a Tendio?

A tendio is the group of seats in which a Bull fighting ring is split. In the Case of Plaza de las Ventas there are 10  tendíos. Some of these tendíos are in the shade, and some face the sun. Others are between shade and sun (depending on the hour of the day) .

Tendíos 9,10, 1 and 2 are in the shadow. Tendíos 4,5,6 and 7 are in the sun. And tendiós 3 and 8 are in “Sol y Sombra”. Besides this division, the distance from the ring also splits  seats, which can be in Tendido alto, bajo, grada and andanada.

Which tickets are more expensive in Las Ventas and why?

The price of tickets differ based on their shade-sun location (Sol y sombra). Tickets in the shadow are always more expensive and also depending on their location from the ring (Alto, ajo, grada or andanada)

Each bullfight needs a president and in the case of Las Ventas the President of each Corrida sits down in the Tendío 10, at the Royal box.

Las Ventas is one of the most visited attractions in Madrid. The tour of Las ventas includes a visit to the different areas and you will understand the purpose of each of the toriles from where the bulls join the Ring and the 5 gates  including La Puerta Grande in Tendíos 7 and 8. Leaving Las vEntas during San Isidro through La Puerta Grande is every bullfighter dream.

Outside the Plaza de las Ventas there are sculptures with the image of well-known bull-figthers.

What is the best way to get to Las ventas?

The underground station Ventas is located just in front of the Ring and it is the simplest way to get to Las ventas. Lines 2 (red) and 5 (green) stop at Ventas. Line 2 is the easiest way to get from Sol to Ventas and line 5 is the simplest if you want to get there from Gran Via or Callao

You can enjoy a fantastic 50 minutes walk from Sol to Las Ventas that will take you Cibeles, Puerta de Alcala, El Retiro Park and the Calle de Alcala.