THE BULLRING

Welcome to Las Ventas Bullring, considered the Bullfighting Cathedral. The most important bullring in the world. The one which gives everything and takes everything away. The biggest reward for those who manage to leave through its Puerta Grande and a challenge for those who hardly think about it.

Las Ventas Bullring was built in 1929 on the land called Las Ventas del Espíritu Santo, to which it owes its name. It is the largest bullring in Spain, with a total area of ​​45,800 square meters and capacity for 23,797 people. Its ring, with a diameter of 60 meters is also one of the largest in the world, after the bullring in Ronda. Las Ventas is the third Bullring with more capacity in the world after the Monumental of Mexico and the Bullring  in Valencia (Venezuela), and is considered by professionals, amateurs and critics as the most important in the world.

Las Ventas Bullring, also known as The Chair of the Winds, is located in one of the windiest terrains of the city of Madrid, right in the neighborhood of La Guindalera, in the central district of Salamanca.

Its construction responds to the need to expand bullfighting in the city of Madrid due to its boom, and the impossibility to achieve so  with the old Bullring in Madrid, it was proposed to take it to a different location. Its ideologist was the legendary matador ‘Joselito’ who hoped that more people from Madrid could see him fighting, he proposed the construction of a new arena, more imposing, bigger and capable of bringing the bulls to the general public with the cheapening of tickets. His tragic death did not allow him to see his dream fulfilled. The construction was commissioned to the renowned architect José Espeliú in 1922, who also died without seeing it finished. The project was taken up by another outstanding architect of the era, Manuel Muñoz Monasterio, one of the architects of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

Its construction took 7 years. Its construction is of brick seen on a metal structure, with a decoration based on ceramic tiles.

On June 17th, 1931, the first celebration was held at the bullring with the celebration of the charity bullfight. The poster was formed by: Fortuna, Marcial Lalanda, Nicanor Villalta, Fausto Barajas, Luis Fuentes Bejarano, Vicente Barrera, Armillita Chico and Manuel Mejias Bienvenida. Although its definitive inauguration took place on October 21st, 1934, as of that date it begins to be used regularly.

Historical Heritage

Las Ventas Bullring was declared an artistic historical heritage in 1994.

Fair of San Isidro

The biggest event that houses the Las Ventas Bullring is undoubtedly the San Isidro Fair, one of the events which has consolidated it as the best bullring in the world. The San Isidro Fair was created by the businessman Livino Stuyck in 1947, when he created a season ticket to see up to 5 runs coinciding with the fiestas of San Isidro. Currently there are up to 28 runs that are held daily throughout the month of May. San Isidro was the definitive accolade to the Monumental de Las Ventas for the achievement of the prestige it currently possesses.