Las Ventas

Las Ventas
Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas
Las Ventas bullring
Former names	Las Ventas del Espíritu Santo
General information
Type	Bullring
Architectural style	Neo-Mudéjar
Address	c/ Alcalá, 237 28028 Madrid
Town or city	Madrid
Country	Spain
Coordinates	40°25′55.5″N 3°39′47.8″W / 40.432083°N 3.663278°W / 40.432083; -3.663278
Current tenants	Plaza 1
Inaugurated	June 17, 1931; 93 years ago (1931-06-17)
Owner	Comunidad de Madrid
Design and construction
Architect(s)	José Espeliu
Other information
Seating capacity	23,798
Website
www.las-ventas.com
Location of Las Ventas in Spain
Spanish Cultural Heritage
Official name	Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas
Type	Non-movable
Criteria	Monument
Designated	1994
Reference no.	RI-51-0008990

The Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, known simply as Las Ventas [laz ˈβentas], is the largest bullfighting ring in Spain, located in the Guindalera quarter of the Salamanca district of Madrid. It was inaugurated on June 17, 1931. Its seating capacity of 23,798, makes it the third-largest bullfighting run in the world, after bullrings in Mexico and Venezuela.^[1] After the federal ban of bulfighting in Plaza México, Las Ventas is the second largest bullring in the world still in operation for its original intention.^[2]

This bullring was designed by the architect José Espeliú in the Neo-Mudéjar (Moorish) style with ceramic incrustations. The seats are situated in ten "tendidos". The price of the seats depends upon how close they are to the arena and whether they are in the sun or the shade (the latter being more expensive). The bullfighting season starts in March and ends in October; bullfights are held every day during the San Isidro Fiesta, and every Sunday or holiday during the season. Bullfights start at 6 or 7pm and last for two to three hours.