Bullfighting is a sport that many foreigners find cruel, but it is a cultural tradition of Spain and something that is worth witnessing at least once. Since I was in Sevilla during Feria, there were bullfights every evening with 3 or 4 matadors performing at each event. During other times of the year, bullfights usually occur on Sundays. The schedule of bullfights is available well in advance and a few of the bullfights with well-known matadors get sold out beforehand, however it is usually possible to buy tickets the same day for most bullfights. Ticket prices range depending on seat selection. We bought tickets for 33 Euros each which gave us seats with a good view but also in the hot sun.
The bullfights in Sevilla take place at the renowned La Maestranza bullring in the Plaza de Toros. Built in 1760, La Maestranza is one of the oldest bullrings in Spain, and there is a 30 minute guided tour available of its stables and museum. The spectators at bullfights are very civilized and sit quietly, paying full respect to the sport being watched. It reminded me of the crowd at a tennis match or golf tournament. In fact, once a matador has taken the ring, people who are not in their seats must wait outside until the kill has occurred.
The bull is first let into the ring and confronted by a single matador who bravely remains in place, often on his knees, waving his cape to escape the initial charges of the bull. Soon the men with long spears/lances appear riding on horses. The horses wear blinders and are padded but are still at the mercy of a charging bull with horns. The men use their lances to stick the bull a few times, getting him to bleed and lose some strength and speed. At the same time, the junior matadors are distracting the bull. Then men appear with what look like juggling pins, except they are more like long darts. Poised with one of these weapons in each hand, these men run around the bull trying to position themselves to be able to stab the bull hard enough so that their weapons remain in his back. At this point the bull is often profusely bleeding and disoriented. Soon the main matador will step back in to finish the kill. The object is for the matador to score a direct hit so the bull keels over dying immediately. Sometimes the bull is still full of fight and a slight mistake by the matador can result in his being gored. I have attended 2 bullfights and in both of them I saw matadors get gored. Once the bull is dead, a team of horses ride in to drag the bull from the field. Depending on how expertly the matador performed the kill, the judges may reward the matador with one ear, two ears or the ultimate, 2 ears and the tail.