La Plaza de Toros Monumental de Las Ventas – Madrid, Spain

The Plaza de Toros Monumental de Las Ventas in Madrid is the biggest bullring in Spain and one of the most important in the world (together with the Monumental de Mexico).

Between the years 1913 and 1920, bullfighting became so popular in and Madrid that the bullring located in highway (nowadays called Alcala Street) was no longer big enough for the celebrations. A famous toreador, José Gómez Ortega also known as Joselito or Gallito suggested the idea of building a much bigger bullring called Monumental where the whole city could enjoy the show. Around the year 1918 an architect friend of Joselito called José Espeliú, started the project.

The Plaza de Toros Monumental was inaugurated 17th June 1931. It is beautifully decorated with tiles representing all Spanish provinces and has a capacity of almost 25.000 people. The famous Museo Taurino ( Bullfighting Museum ) it is also located there.

The bullfighting community considered bullfights an artistic expression. Despite this, they are very controversial since part of the citizens and also organizations that protect animals rights consider them very cruel with bulls.