The words ‘Spain’ and ‘bullfighting’ are, of course, synonymous in most people’s minds, and whilst Seville and Madrid might be the most famous bullfighting cities, Malaga too is at the heart of bullfighting country.
It seems that wherever you go in the province of Malaga, you are never too far away from a bullring, and even though nowadays the sport is considered by many to be somewhat politically incorrect, it is nevertheless an important part of Spain’s rich culture – although not for the faint-hearted. Even small towns and villages have their own arenas and, to this day, stage events at particular times of the year.
The bullring in Malaga city is one of the city’s most prominent landmarks. Built in 1874, it is situated on the Plaza La Malagueta, to the east of the old town and near the Castillo de Gibralfaro, and can seat 15,000 spectators. Here, in the month of August, the city holds its annual Feria de Agosto, and it is then that bullfights take place on an almost daily basis.
Each bullfighting match, or ‘corrida’, lasts for around fifteen minutes, when the skills of three matadors are tested against the might of six bulls. The bravery of the matador, dressed in the traditional costume of gold-embroidered silk jacket, tight trousers, bicorne hat and red cape, is measured by his calmness in the face of danger and his ability to get as close to the bull as possible.
Taking place in three stages, it is first the turns of the picadors and the banderilleros to weaken the mighty bulls and, only when this is done do the matadors display their skills, armed only with a cape and a sword. The bull, by this time, is at his most dangerous and, unless the matador shows the appropriate skill and care, he risks being seriously injured, or worse.
Whether you are interested in actually watching a live bullfight in action or simply visiting some of the region’s arenas, here are some of the bullrings to be found around the province of Malaga.
1. Algarrobo Has a seating capacity of 3,000 and was opened at the end of the 19th century
2. Antequera Opened in 1848 and seats 8,200 spectators
3. Benalauria Capacity of 5,000 spectators
4. Benalmadena Opened in 1968, the bullring in Benalmadena can seat 3,600 people
5. Carratraca Opened in 1878 and with a capacity of 3,000 spectators
6. Coin Can accommodate an audience of 4,000
7. Cortes de la Frontera Seating capacity of 1,000 spectators
8. Estepona With the capacity to seat 8,000, the bullring at Estepona was opened in 1972
9. Fuengirola Opened in 1962, this bullring will seat 4,500
10. Gaucin Has seating for 6,000 spectators
11. Marbella Opened in 1964 and with capacity for 9,500
12. Nueva Andalucia Opened in 1968 and has the capacity for 11,300 spectators
13. Ronda Seats 6,000 spectators and was opened in 1785
14. Torremolinos Opened in 1968, with a capacity of 5,000
15. Velez-Malaga Opened in 1894 and will seat 5,000