Plaza de Toros

Today was labor day in Spain so Erich was off work and the boys didn't have any school so we went to the Plaza de Toros which is the bullfighting ring here in Madrid. It is the largest Bullring in Spain and the 3rd largest in the World. The stadium was built in 1929 with Moorish influenced architecture. It is a magnificent Spanish building with brick and tile inlaid to add color and beauty. I really love all the color you see in the buildings here.   We had a wonderful tour and lucky for me in English. We learned about the different stages of the bullfight and how they weaken the bull and then in the end the goal of any Matador to kill the bull.  She talked about how the bull is a very aggressive animal that she said attacks movement (not the red cape) so the Matador must learn a dance with the cape without moving the core of the body otherwise the bull will attack him instead of the cape. 

The Gateway and Entrance into the Arena. 

This is a picture of the Royal box and right next to it is where the official sits that will judge the Matador on his performance and skill.

Kaleb and Tyson in the expensive seats costing around 200 Euros or about $300.

One of the bulls that was killed many years ago in Plaza de Toros weighing around 700 kilos which we were told is relatively small. This bull was know for its bravery.