Plaza de toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla – Seville, Spain - Atlas Obscura

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Plaza de toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla

Spain's largest bullring offers a unique glimpse at architecture and history. 

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Formally known as La Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla, this bullring serves as a venue and museum for the controversial sport of bullfighting.

This stadium is a relative newcomer in the city’s Historic District. The site was home to several wooden bullrings in the early 18th-century. In 1761, construction began on a permanent structure. The ring took nearly 120 years to complete.

Because the project took so long to finish, the arena is actually oval-shaped. Over the decades, changes to the style and sport of bullfighting favored a larger arena. With so much of the stadium already built, it was necessary to constrain the new layout to fit within the existing property boundaries, resulting in the unique oval shape.

Bullfighting has always been controversial, although it is viewed by some as an important cultural art and activity. As such, this ring also features a museum that displays many works of art in addition to historic exhibitions.  

Know Before You Go

It isn't necessary to attend a bullfight to visit the Plaza de Toros. Tours of the stadium and the museum are available year-round.

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