Bullfighting in Sevilla is a cultural event that has been around for ages. And the ring in Sevilla happens to be the oldest in Spain.
The Masetranza was built back in 1758 and can seat about 12,000 people. There are various doors, one where the fighters enter and leave, and one where the bulls enter (but, sadly, never leave alive).
There is also a door where the bulls are taken out once they are killed by the bullfighters. Personally, I think it’s extremely sad for the animal, but I learned that the meat from the bull goes to the market in order to be used fully (at least they have a meaning after death). Bullfighting in Sevilla has three different stages.
Tercio de Varas
This stage is created to allow the torero to identify how the bull acts and where it likes to go in the arena. After some time, two people will come in on horses. They are fully protected by padding, which I learned after some research in English. The job of the picador (people on the horse) is to stab the bulls’ necks to weaken it during the fight.
Tercio de Banderillas
The torero tries to stab the bull (by himself) in the shoulders to weaken him further. He’s on the ground without a horse.
Tercio de Muerte
The torero comes in with a red cape to entice the bull. It has nothing to do with the color, but the bulls attack moving objects. After showing off the skills of courage and his art of making passes with the cape, he will eventually kill the bull.
It should die immediately if the torero hits it between the 15th and 16th vertebrae. Each of the three toreros in the bullfight has two bulls to kill, equaling a total of six.
Before the bullfight begins, the toreros can pray in the chapel right inside the bullring in case they die. There is even a medical unit on sight in case there is a need for emergency surgeries if the 1,000lb bull attacks the torero.
Bullfighting in Sevilla
The minimum age to fight bulls is 16, but it is illegal to enter the ring before that age. Their outfits are very expensive, often costing a few thousand Euros.
There was no way I could go to an active bullfight in Sevilla. Instead, I took up the opportunity to visit while the ring was empty. Fine by me, as I was able to learn all about the history of the event and understand the process without actually witnessing it all!