Corrida de Torros

Beautiful architecture inside the Plaza de Torros

Three toreros, or matadors, each parading out with their entourage



Warming up

Waiting for the torro, or bull. Each corrida, or bullfight, has three parts. When the bull first comes into the ring, the matador and his bandarillos gauge the bull with their magenta and gold capes.

Then the bandarillos lead the bull to the picador, who is the one on the horse.

The bull charges the picador, who carries a lance and stabs the bull in the back. This weakens its back and shoulder muscels. The horse wears big protective padding which will not allow the bulls horns to penetrate. The horses also have blinders on and are given tranquilizers, so they are surprisingly calm despite being pushed around by a big bull.

Next, three sets of banderillas are places in the bulls back, further weakening the muscles. This is usually done by the banderillos. I personally think it is one of the most athletic parts of the corrida, because the banderillo runs at the bull, sticks them in and jumps out of the way as the bull is charging him.

Another banderillo at work.

Next comes the part that most people think of when they imagine bull fighting. In this part, the matador uses a muleta, or red cape to draw the bull in a series of passes. The more consecutive passes, the more excited the crowd gets.

This is Pepe. He was the best matador of the evening, and was really able to work the bull.

To kill the bull, the matador stabs the bull in the back with a sword. After he killed the bull, the crowd waved white handkercheif to let the judges know that they thought he had done terrifically.

Pepe is holding the bulls ear, his prize for fighting so well.