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 Resources for Future Missionaries
Toros!

Depending on the mission president, you will be allowed to see one bullfight during your time in Spain. If you don't like blood, then forget about it...

Disclaimer: The information presented is not intended to replace any official information you receive by the church regarding your mission or the mission field. We provide this information simply as a public service.

Here's what you'll see:

A corrida (the bullfight) consists of 6 fifteen minute sections known as faenas. In each faena a bull (toro) is faced by one of three matadors (though on special occasions there may only be one matador present). Matadors (or toreros), the ones who actually kill the bull, are dressed in gold, while their subordinates are in silver or black dress.

Each faena is divided into three sections. In the first section, the bull's strength is tested by the matador and his assistants, who at this point are using large magenta and yellow capes. The bull is then weakened by picadors on horseback who lance the bull in the back of the neck. In addition to weakening the bull, this forces it to drop its head to the level of the bullfighters' capes.

During the second section, the banderilleros stab long brightly-colored barbed sticks, the banderillas, into the back of the oncoming bull. The banderilleras are  designed to remain in the bull's back for the duration of the bullfight, and are meant to aggravate it.

In the final section, the matador faces the bull alone. Now using a small red cape, he carries out a series of elegant maneuvers designed to demonstrate his bravery and skill. When he is ready to kill the bull, he exchanges the long straight sword he has been using to position his cape for a smaller one with a curved end. To carry out the kill, the matador holds his cape in such a way as to mimic the angle formed by the head of a charging bull. As the bull charges in response, it exposes the vital area between the shoulder blades where the matador must insert his sword to reach the bull's heart. In a good bullfight, this is successfully accomplished in the first attempt, but usually several attempts are required to subdue the bull.

Where and when:

Bullfights in Madrid take place in the Las Ventas bullring, often referred to as the Mecca of bullfighting. The season in Madrid is from March to October, with bullfights at Las Ventas every Sunday at 7:00 PM. During the Feria de San Isidro, (from about mid-May to mid-June) and the Feria de Otoño (which begins toward the end of September) there are bullfights everyday, often with well known bullfighters.

Tickets can be purchased at Las Ventas itself, with tickets going on sale two days before the bullfight. Tickets can also be bought at a small outlet on calle Victoria (Metro: Sol). Ticket prices vary greatly depending on the day, and where you sit, from below 1000 ptas to over 10000 ptas. Sombra (shade) is more expensive than sol (sun). A third option, "sol y sombra" is priced in between. The bullring isn't too big but, if you plan to see the action without paying a lot for your seats, binoculars are probably a good idea.

Las Ventas
Calle Alcalá 237
Metro: Ventas
Zone: near the intersection of c. Alcalá with the M-30
Ticket prices: less than 1000 ptas (8US$) to over 10000 ptas. (80 US$).

There are also bullfights held in many of the towns around Madrid at different times of the year. The local tourist offices and ayuntamientos should be able to inform you about these. We'll try to get this info in here as soon as possible.
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Misión de España - Madrid
Avenida de España 17, Local 01-1
Alcobendas, 28100 Spain
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