"Bullfighting in Spain" Top 5 Page for this destination Spain Sports & Outdoors Tip by deecat

I went to the bull rings & the bull ring museum in Spanish cities; however, I just could not go see a bull fight. Allan did see a bull fight.

Bullfighting has certainly been a popular sport in Spain for thousands of years. Recently, the people in Spain are not as interested in the sport. Once it was considered a contest of art & great skill, but that is no longer an opinion of the majority. Others, and me included, feel that it is a cruel sport because it involves killing the bull.

In Spain, bullfighting is called corridas or "corrida de toros", which means "running, or fiesta of the bulls".

It looks to me that part of the flair of bullfighting comes from the clothing. The matador costume is called traje de luces or "suit of lights". I was "floored" to find out that these costumes can cost as much as $10,000.

Bullrings are all over Spain. We saw the ones in Seville, Madrid, and Ronda. In the Ronda Bullfighting Museum, we learned that the origins of the corrida de toros are traced back to the Bronze Age in Crete! At one time, seeing young boys test their worth by throwing themselves onto the horns of pasturing bulls was outlawed, but it was restored again by the Moors during their occupation.

Bullfighting is most popular among older people; some of the younger people think the bull suffers a slow, painful death, only for the viewers' entertainment. Animal protection groups are trying to have it banned in Spain, Mexico, Portugal, & Peru.

Allan says that the bullfight is complex: it begins with a parade & ceremony. The matador is the focal point. He has assistants called banderilleros [on foot] and picadores[on horseback]. The bull is taunted with capes and long sticks. The finale involves the matador doing intricate maneuvers with cape and sword. The matador aims for the spot between the bull's shoulders, plunging his sword in. (ugh)

Equipment: The crowd cheers "Ole! and throws flowers into the ring. But, unless the matador fights well and with dignity, there will be no cheers. One thing is for sure: many matadors are wealthy celebrities in Spain

It would seem that the "equipment" you need is your enthusiasm.

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