The Real Maestranza bullring is a landmark in Seville and in Spanish bullfighting.
With its impressive Baroque facade, one of the bullring’s most unique features is the slightly oval shape of the ring. This 18th century arena can hold 14,000.
Above the matador’s entrance to the ring is seating for the Royal family.
Heading down to the stables… there are no bulls, horses, or bull fights this time of year.
The Chapel dedicated to the Virgen de la Caridad, where matadors pray before entering the ring.
The Real Maestranza bullring has a small and interesting museum where we learned more about the world of bullfighting through the exhibitions of costumes, photographs, posters, and paintings. Our guide explained that bull fighting has historically been controversial in Spain, and was banned in Barcelona a few years ago.
Finishing up our tour early evening, we went for a walk around that area. Walking around Seville is a pleasure – a feast for the eyes.
Lyn says:
What a graceful river tower. begins to have a Arabic or Moorish influence?
Sue says:
Lyn,
From a National Geographic website I found this explanation…
Moorish architecture is a variation of Islamic architecture. There are many motifs, or repeated patterns, in Moorish architecture.
Moorish architecture is named after the Moors, North African people who conquered the Iberian Peninsula and many islands in the Western Mediterranean beginning in the 700s. The Moors controlled what is now Spain, Portugal, and the Pyrenees region of France for hundreds of years.
The Moors were Muslim and influenced by the Islamic architecture that developed in the Middle East. Although mosques are the most common examples of Moorish architecture, motifs spread to the design of homes and places of businesses. One of the most famous examples of Moorish architecture, the Mezquita or Grand Mosque of Cordoba, Spain, is today the region’s Catholic cathedral.
Lance says:
Another country I’ve never visited! Thanks for the tour.
Sandy Wilson says:
Thanks, Sue and Jay, for your continuing travelogue. I find it fascinating. Your sketches, Sue, add such a lovely personal touch.
I’m appreciating, not complaining, as I sit at a coffee shop in Tweeds Head which is part of Australia’s northeastern coast, about halfway between Byron Bay and Brisbane. Life is good. No chocolate, but I have a latte at my side. 🙂
Jen Vollmer says:
Just beautiful – photos, your stories, your sketches! Thanks for sharing!