Madrid Tourist Guide: Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas - Travel & Discover

The bull world is not just about bullfights. There's a whole range of traditions and customs to introduce tourists to a world inhabited by bullfighters, stockbreeders, bullfighting critics and enthusiasts. Madrid's main bullring is called La Plaza de Toros de las Ventas del Espíritu Santo, or more simply, Las Ventas. Built in the Mudéjar style, this impressive building is made of red brick and ceramic tiles. Plaza de Toros de las Ventas was designed and constructed in the Mozarabic style by the architect Espelli. Features of Mozarabic architecture include horseshoe-shaped arches and ribbed domes. This building also features pottery representations of the heraldic shields of all the different Spanish provinces. The Moorish style features more than just horseshoe arches and intertwining patterns. Elaborate decoration, intricate mosaic work and ornate ceiling carvings also play their part, as do the regal surroundings. In Spain, it was and remains the architectural heritage and style of the Moors. First introduced from northwest Africa 1,300 years ago, the beautiful and striking essence of Moorish architecture remains and continues to be a template for property builders and developers in the area. Bullfighting has been depicted by Goya in his tapestries. Picasso in his prints, Lorca in his poems and Almodovar in his films. Some people find it hard to conceive Spain's culture without bullfighting, a spectacle that's been celebrated in Spain since time immemorial and that's part of the country's idiosyncrasy. First-time spectators are bound to enjoy their experience at a bullring, simply for the impressiveness of the show. However, those who'd like to understand a bit more about this tradition need to familiarise themselves with the bullfighting code, for these fights abide by a very strict set of rules. Flamenco, Spanish operetta and bullfighting are present even in Madrid's most avant-garde events. In Madrid, taking a walk in El Rastro flea market, going to a bullfight, attending a procession, going to watch a zarzuela and taking part in public debates are traditions so deep-rooted that it's hard to figure out quite when they date back to. Puerta del Sol is more than just the metaphorical heart of Madrid, it is really at the city's centre. A beautiful 18th-century red brick building, the Casa de Correos, was erected as the city's main post office, following a design by the French architect Jacques Marquet. The clock tower was added later. The plaza's name originates from the eastern city gate located here in the 15th century. The gate was probably named after a sun drawn on it, hence the name Puerta del Sol or Sun Gate. In the middle of Puerta del Sol is a large equestrian statue of King Carlos III, placed here in 1997. The king looks out on the Casa de Correos. The Puerta del Sol is also the location of the most famous symbol of Madrid, a 20-tonne statue of a bear eating fruits from a tree. The official name of the statue is El Oso y el Mandroño.