Bullring map

Ruedo

Central part of the bullring where the lidia (fight) takes place. The barrera separates it from the rest of the building. its diameter ranges from 60 to 35 meters and it is covered with a special kind of sand called albero.

Sol y sombra (Sun and shade)

Bullrings are divided in two different sections, sun and shade. Spectators in the first one will receive direct sunlight during the corrida, while those sitting in the second will normally enjoy a cooler temperature. The palco presidencial (presidential balcony) is considered to be the core of the bullring. Next to the presidential balcony the palco real (royal balcony) and/or palco the autoridades (reserved to members or the royal family or VIPs) can be found. In front of the balconies the reloj de clarineros y timbaleros (clock of trumpeters and drummers who announce the different stages of the fight) is located. Finally, the music band can be placed in different parts of the bullring, but always visible from the presidential balcony.

Barrera

This red wooden fence is aimed at preventing the bulls from escaping the ruedo and protecting the matadors and their troupes during the lidia (fight). It is 1.60 meters high

Burladeros

They can be considered doorways to enter the ruedo from the callejón. Bullfighters also use them to escape in dangerous situations. Normally, there are four of them. At the beginning of the lidia (fight) the matador must be located in the most distant one from the puerta de toriles (the gate trough which the bull enters the ring) while his attendants occupy the others.

Zonas de servicio (Service Areas)

Apart from the ruedo, bullrings have several facilities to prepare the corrida. The corrales are fenced areas to keep the bulls before the fight. The chiqueros, small pens where each bull is separated from the herd to be released in the ruedo. The patio de arrastre (the dragging courtyard) is the place where the mulillas (mules) bring the carcass of the bull to be skinned by the butcher. The patio de cuadrillas (troupe’s courtyard) is the place reserved for the horses of the picadors.

Seats

Different categories exist. The barrera is the first row of seats located nearby the callejón, the second row is called contrabarrera. After the contrabarrera the tendido (general stands) begins. Bigger bullrings differentiate between tendido alto (high stands) and tendido bajo (low stands). Seats in the tendidos always have numbers and prices vary depending on the location. The seats located above the tendidos are called gradas. The andanadas are the seats which enjoy a roof to shelter spectators from sun and rain but, at the same time, they are the more distant. Therefore normally they are normally the cheapest. Different prices of the tickets are determined by distance to the ruedo and their sun or shade location.

Las puertas (the gates)

Every bullring has at least four gates. The puerta grande (Main Gate) is the one trough which successful bullfighters will leave the ring carried on the shoulders of a fan. The puerta de toriles is the access for the bulls to enter the ring while the puerta de arrastre (Dragging Gate) is the one trough which the carcass leaves the ruedo dragged by the mulillas (mules). Finally, the puerta de cuadrillas (Troupe’s Gate) is the arch trough which all bullfighters and their attendants and the picadors access the ring at the beginning of the corrida.

White circle lines

They divide the ruedo in three parts: tablas, tercios and medios (see picture). They are drawn with lime and show the recommended distances for the matadors to perform during the three stages of the lidia (fight): varas, banderillas and muletas y estoque.

Callejón

This passage way separates the ruedo and the barrera. Its width should range between 1.50 and 2.50 meters.

· The national flag must wave by law in every bullring during the corrida