Una de las partes ceremoniales más bellas y emocionantes de una Corrida de toros es lo que en el argot taurino se conoce como “Paseíllo”
Al principio de una corrida de toros, todos sus participantes recorren caminando, a menudo escuchando las notas de un Paso Doble interpretado en vivo por los músicos en la Plaza, el trayecto entre la Puerta de Cuadrillas y el burladero situado bajo el Palco presidencial. A esta especie de desfile de presentación se le da el nombre de Paseíllo.
La posición de cada persona en el Paseíllo obedece a reglas muy precisas establecidas por una tradición secular.
En primera posición aparecen los dos Alguacilillos a caballo, que previamente han recorrido el ruedo recordando su antigua función de despejar la plaza, es decir, de asegurarse de que en el ruedo está vacío y listo para que comience la lidia.
Inmediatamente detrás se sitúan los tres matadores ubicados de izquierda a derecha según su antigüedad. El matador más antiguo se sitúa a la izquierda, el siguiente en antigüedad a la derecha y el más joven en el centro.
Detrás de los matadores aparecen los 9 banderilleros (tres por matador), también posicionados según su antigüedad. A continuación salen los seis Picadores ( dos por Matador) ordenados en dos filas. Detrás aparecen 8 Monosabios o asistentes del Picador, 8 areneros encargados del mantenimiento del ruedo , 6 Muleros y dos tiros de Mulas que remolcarán al toro muerto. Una vez que los matadores han saludado respetuosamente al Presidente se sitúan tras el burladero a esperar la salida del toro y dar comienzo al primer tercio de la lidia.

La Montera es la prenda con la que los toreros se cubren la cabeza durante los dos primeros tercios de la corrida. Antes de coger la muleta y empezar a torear con ella, el torero brinda el toro a alguien lanzándole la montera. A veces la lanza al ruedo para brindar el toro al público. La montera fue usada por primera vez por Francisco Montes ( Paquiro) en 1835. Una interesante teoría acerca de los orígenes de la montera es aquella según la cual èsta tenía una doble función: En primer lugar, la de ser una especie de peluca que destacara una cierto aspecto femenino del torero; y , en segundo lugar, tenía la función de disfraz para que el torero se asemejase a su bestial adversario. Actualmente las moteras están hechas de astracán, pero antiguamente se hacían de piel de cordero negro. Al hacer el Paseíllo los toreros parecen una manada de reses que se mueven de un modo organizado.
The Montera is the element with which the bullfighters cover their heads during the first two thirds of the bullfight. Just before taking the cape and starting the fight, the bullfighter gives the Montera to the person to whom he wants to offer the bull’s death. If he offers it to the public he will throw the Montera to the arena, usually backwards, and if there is no offering he will be picked up by one of his assistants.
The Montera was introduced by Francisco Montes (Paquiro) around 1835.
An interesting theory about the origin of the Montera is that it had a double essential function: Firstly, to emphasize the feminine aspects of the bullfighter in the first part of his fight. Therefore the Montera would be a sort of wig to highlight the femininity and delicacy of the human fighter. And secondly, it was a kind of disguise by which the bullfighter identifies himself with the bull. Nowadays the Monteras are usually made of astrakhan, but they were formerly made of black lambskin. At the time of the opening of the gate, the bullfighters seem to be an emerging human cattle and, when they walk in the arena during the opening procession ( El Paseillo) they look like a herd.

The “Suerte de Matar” consists of preparing the bull for its death and of
killing it by the use of the sword. The amount of time it takes to execute the bull’s death is limited and is indicated by warning signals given by the presidency. The most important of these signals are directed to the matador who, through lack of experience, uses an excessive amount of time to consummate the death of the bull. The correct thrusting of the sword is one that penetrates to the butt of the sword. If it doesn´t penetrate enough, it is called “Pinchazo”.
Once the bull is dead, the audience, by applause and whistles,
judges the matador´s performance and, as such, influences the
final ruling from the president.
Two ears and tail .This is the highest trophy awarded in bullfighting in the
category of first class. The president must take out the white
kerchief three times before the bull is dragged away.
Two ears
The trophies that ensure that the bullfighter will be carried on
the public´s shoulders through the main door of the bullring.
The president must take out the white kerchief three times
before the bull is dragged away.
One ear
The audience decides if the bullfighter deserves the prize. The
president must grant the bull´s ear to the bullfighter if the
majority of the audience shows their white kerchief.
Greeting
This is the consolation prize given, when despite the
bullfighter´s best efforts, things don´t come out the way he
had intends.

Manolo Montoliu (1954-1992) was an spanish Bullfighter and Banderillero. He was born in Valencia and killed by the bull Cabatisto in Sevilla. In the year 2017 will be held in Valencia several tributes to this great Matador.
But what is a Banderillero? What are Banderillas?
One of the things that most impresses those who attend a bullfight for the first time is the stage of banderillas ( Tercio de Banderillas). It is brief, since it usually does not last more than five minutes, but very intense, because the man faces the bull without the protection of the cape or the muleta. It can also become an aesthetic experience, if the banderillero does his job well and the bull charges fiercely. However, it is not easy to understand its meaning and sense within the framework of the entire bullfight.
The main objective of the Stage of “Banderillas” is to prepare the bull for the next stage: The Stage of Muleta (Suerte de Muleta). The Stage of Varas is the phase in which the bull is lanced by the Picador in order to weaken it and prepare it for the Stage of Muleta (Suerte de Muleta). After being lanced the bull has lost its initial impetuosity , lowering its head and charging only just when it is provoked by the Matador. And now its aggressiveness must be a little bit awakened in order to equilibrate its strenght and be prepared to the stage of Muleta. The bull feels a sharp pain when the “Banderillas” have pierced its back and it Seems to regain his strength and fierceness

Three bullfighters’ assistants or sometimes the bullfighter him or herself jab the bull’s back with three pairs of “Banderillas”. The bull feels a sharp pain when the “Banderillas” have pierced its back.
In the chapter X of “Death In The Afternoon”, Hemingway wrote about the Stage of “Banderillas”, Providing very interesting data to better understand this important part of the Bullfight.

“Act two is that of the banderillas. These are pairs of sticks about a yard long, seventy centimetres to be exact, with a harpoon-shaped steel point four centimetres long at one end. They are supposed to be placed, two at a time, in the humped muscle at the top of the bull’s neck as he charges the man who holds them. They are designed to complete the work of slowing up the bull and regulating the carriage of his head which has been begun by the picadors: so that his attack will be slower, but surer and better directed. Four pair of banderillas are usually put in. If they are placed by the banderilleros or peones they must be placed, above all other considerations, quickly and in the proper position. If the matador himself places them he may indulge in a preparation which is usually accompanied by music. This is the most picturesque part of the bullfight and the part most spectators care for the most when first seeing fights. The mission of the banderilleros is not only to force the bull by hooking to tire his neck muscles and carry his head lower but also, by placing them at one side or another, to correct a tendency to hook to that side. The entire act of the banderillas should not take more than five minutes. If it is prolonged the bull becomes discomposed and the fight loses the tempo it must keep, and if the bull is an uncertain and dangerous one he has too many opportunities to see and charge men unarmed with any lure, and so develops a tendency to search for the man, the bundle, as the Spanish call him, behind the cloth when the matador comes out for the last act with the sword and muleta.”

The Feria de San Isidro consists of a series of bullfights that are held in the Bullring Las Ventas in Madrid every year between May and June. It was initially called Feria de Madrid. But later the word Madrid was replaced by San Isidro in honor to the patron saint of Madrid. Over the years the Feria de San isidro became the first and most important Bullfighting event in the word. It was created by Livinio Stuyck, when he was in charge of Las Ventas Bullring in 1947. At the time the Feria cosisted only of 5 bullfights, but currently the number of bullfights is nearly 31.

La Feria de San Isidro es una serie de festejos taurinos que se celebran en la Monumental de las Ventas de Madrid, entre mayo y junio, en torno a la festividad de San Isidro Labrador (15 de mayo), el santo patrono de la capital española. Inicialmente denominada Feria de Madrid, con el tiempo se ha convertido en una de las ferias taurinas más prestigiosas del mundo.
Fue creada en 1947 por el empresario Livino Stuyck quien, al hacerse cargo de la gerencia del coso madrileño, decidió reunir en un solo abono continuo, coincidiendo con la festividad de San Isidro, todas las corridas que se celebraban en mayo. En un principio la feria la formaban solo cinco corridas, que luego fueron subiendo a diez y a quince hasta llegar a los 28 festejos actuales, que se celebran diariamente durante un mes entero: 24 corridas de toros, 2 novilladas y 2 de rejones.

Las Ventas Bullfighting Ring was built to replace the bullfighting
ring located off the Aragon highway. The newer arena was built to be larger,
given that the seating capacity of the previous one was insufficient because
of the demographic growth that Madrid experienced during the first-half of the
twentieth century. The new bullfighting ring was inaugurated on October 12, 1934. It remained open without interruption until 1936, the year in which the Spanish
Civil war began. The construction was directed by the architect Jose Espeliu, who died without seeing his work completed. The ring is partially designed, using a Mozarabic style. The walls are inlaid with ceramic depictions of the shields of all the Spanish provinces, as well as their purely ornamental motifs.
The arena is 60 meters in diameter. The bullring has a seating capacity of 23,000 spectators. At present, 80% of the seats belong to season ticket holders. The bullfighting ring also has a Horse Arena, a Towing Arena an infirmary (which can be reached directly from the bullring), a chapel and a bullfighting museum, that are open to the public. Currently, the owner of the bullfighting ring is the regional
community government of Madrid, but various private companies manage it.
The bullfighting ring is on 237 Alcala Street. The fastest and easiest way to
get there is by metro Lines 2 and 5 that stop directly at the Las Ventas station
where the bullring is located. Alternative transportation to the bullring includes
taxi or car, although going by car is not advised due to parking problems.
All the seats are numbered and at the same time grouped in the following
three main areas:
Shade
Sun and Shade
Sun
Each of these areas is divided into several sections or Tendidos. The
Shade is divided into five Tendidos: 9,10,1,2 and Preferente .The Sun and
Shade is divided into Two Tendidos: 8 and 3 and the Sun is divided into four
Tendidos: 7,6,5 and 4.
Each Tendido is divided into five seating categories: Vip category: the three first rows are: barrera (barrier), contrabarrera (frontrow) and delantera baja (second row)
1 Category: row 1 to 14
2 Category: rows 15 to 27
3 Category: gradas
4 Category: andanadas

we are looking forward to attending the first bullfight of season 2107. Just one month left.
On March 26th 2017 Leo Valadez, Diego Carretero and Pablo Aguado will fight in Madrid against bulls from Fuente Ymbro. The public of Madrid is looking forward to seeing Leo Valadez, one of the most interesting Mexican bullfighters today
Leo Valadez was born in 1997 in Aguascalientes, Mexico. He studied at the Aguascalientes School and at the Fundación El Juli, in Arganda. Leo was the first student to get a scholarship from CITAR ( Centro Internacional de Tauromaquia y Alto rendimiento). He fighted for the first time on June 9th 2013 with Francisco Jose Espada and Cristian Climent against bulls from Antonio Lopez Gibaja.
Technically he handles very well l the Muleta with the left hand, uses aristically the cape and , sometimes , plays the roll of a Banderillero.
Leo Valadez has in the great Mexican bullfighters his great references. “I learn watching his videos, especially David Silveti and Manolo Martinez, are my two favorite bullfighters. It’s time for Mexico to have a new great bullfighter and I will fight to be him. “. He dreamed with fighting at the most importat european bull-rings, but he never forgets Mexico: “I am proud to be Mexican and having success at home will make me very happy.”
Tickets available at www.bullfightticktetsmadrid.com

The city of Valencia is situated on the banks of the Turia, on the east coast of Spain, . Its historic centre is one of the largest in Spain and this heritage of ancient monuments, views and cultural attractions makes Valencia one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations.
Valencia’s Bullring was built between 1850 and 1859, following the Neoclassical style. The bullfighting arena is situated in central Valencia ( Jativa Street number 28)
Between March 10th and May 13th the follwing bullfights are going to be held in Valencia :
Friday 10: Erales de Aida Jovani para Miguel Senent “Miguelito” (Escuela de Tauromaquia de Valencia), Ramón Serrano (Escuela de Tauromaquia de Murcia) y Álvaro Passalacqua (Escuela de Tauromaquia de Málaga).
Saturday, 11 de marzo Toros de Alcurrucén para Juan Bautista, Fortes y Álvaro Lorenzo.
Sunday12: Toros de Fuente Ymbro para Juan José Padilla, Curro Díaz y Manuel Escribano.
Monday13: Novillada picada con reses de El Parralejo para Leo Valadez, Diego Carretero y Jorge Rico.
Tuesday14: Novillada picada con reses de José Vázquez para Cristian Climent, Andy Younes y Marcos.
Wendsday15: Toros de Jandilla para David Mora, Paco Ureña y Javier Jiménez.
Thursday16: Toros de Victoriano del Río para Sebastián Castella, Miguel Ángel Perera y Román.
Friday17: Toros de Núñez del Cuvillo para El Fandi, Manzanares y Roca Rey.
Saturday18: Toros de Juan Pedro Domecq para Enrique Ponce, Cayetano y Ginés Marín.
Sunday19 matinal: Toros de Fermín Bohórquez para Diego Ventura, Manuel Manzanares y Lea Vicens.
Sunday19: Toros de Garcigrande para El Juli, Alejandro Talavante y López Simón.
Saturday13 de mayo a las 18.30 horas: Novillada con picadores con reses de Sánchez Herrero para Fernando Beltrán, Alfonso Cadaval y Carlos Ochoa.

The Bullfighting Museum was opened in 1951 and is located in Las Ventas Bullring, next to the Horses Courtyard ( Patio de caballos). The opening hours are From March to October , Monday to Sunday 10 to 18 hours, but the days on which the bullfight is held only 10 to 16 hours; From November to February Monday to Sunday , 10 to 18 hours. The visit is free.
Among the interesting things you can see we would highlight the collection of prints echted in aquatint by Francisco de Goya, wherein are represented various bullfihts “Suertes” and Passes performed at the arenas; the bronze sculpture of Juan Belmonte by Luis Sanguino; the big portrait of Manolete by Espinosa; the color prints by José Vallejo y Galeazo; the engravings by unkown autor: “La Cogida Mortal De Pepe –Illo” and “La Cogida Mortal De Antonio Romero” that represent the death of two famous bullfighters; Four color echtings by known artist about the four Suertes of Bullfighting; the heads of mythical bulls

El Museo Taurion de Madrid fue inaugurado en 1951 y está ubicado en la Plaza de Las Ventas cerca del Patio de Caballos. El horario de visita es de Marzo a Octubre, de lunes a domingo de 10 a 18 horas, pero los días en que se celebra un festejo el horario se reduce de 10 a 16 horas; de Noviembre a Febrero el horario es de lunes a domingo de 10 a 18 horas.
Entre las múltiples cosas interesantes que podemos ver en su interior, destacaría la colección de aguatintas realizadas por Francisco de Goya que representan distintas suertes del toreo realizadas en los ruedos; la escultura de bronce de Juan Belmonte, obra de Luis Sanguino; el gran retrato de Manolete por Espinosa; los grabados en color de José Vallejo y Galeazo; los aguafuertes anónimos : “La Cogida Mortal De Pepe-Illo” y “La Cogida Mortal De Antonio Romero” que representan la muerte de dos famosos toreros en el ruedo; cuatro aguafuertes en color anónimos sobre las cuatro Suertes del toreo y las cabezas disecadas de algunos toros míticos.

During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries the bullfight consisted of the fight between a wild bull and an aristocrat on horseback armed with spears and javelins and assited by several men on foot.
At that time the bullfights were part of the celebration of important weddings or births of the aristocratic families. Carlos V fought against a bull in Valladolid in 1527 in order to celebrate his sons’ birth .
But only a series of changes that took place during the second half of the 18th century made possible the birth of the bullfight in the modern sense:
Bullfighting on foot replaces the bullfighting on horseback
The bulfighters are no longer nobelmen belonging to upper classes, but people of the town who professionalize and charge for their performance.
Fighting bulls are selected primarily for a certain combination of aggression, energy, strength
The first bullrings are built as permanent buildings destined to the celebration.
The first tauromachias are written explaining the technique and the rules of the art of bullfighting