One of the highlights of our time in Madrid was visiting Las Ventas, the world’s most renowned bullfighting ring and a key symbol of Spanish cultural history. Built in 1929 and seating over 23,000, its striking Neo-Mudéjar architecture made a strong impression. We toured the arena and museum, where we saw matador costumes, historic photos, and even mounted bull heads, offering a powerful glimpse into this storied tradition.

       While the tour was organized through UTampa, we chose to attend an actual bullfight on our own. Tickets were affordable at around €12, and although the experience was emotionally intense, it gave us a deeper understanding of the passion, artistry, and controversy surrounding bullfighting. The matadors, working with picadores and banderilleros, created a dramatic, almost theatrical performance that was both beautiful and unsettling.

        For future students, we’d recommend attending if you feel comfortable. Whether it inspires admiration or discomfort, it’s a unique opportunity to better understand a tradition that has shaped Spanish identity for generations.