Madrid Rutas del Toro: a unique experience of tradition and nature
Discover a route that connects with the Madrid dehesa and allows you to explore the rich tradition of the Region of Madrid in an incomparable natural environment.
Bulls on farm
Photo: Region of Madrid
At a time when the world of bullfighting is part of an intense debate, initiatives such as Madrid Bullfighting Routes allow us to learn first-hand about the importance of the bull in the history and environment of the bullfighting world. Region of Madrid. A proposal that coincides with recent milestones for those interested in the topic, such as the documentary Afternoons of Solitudeby Albert Serra, winner of an award at the San Sebastian Festival, and the reopening of the renovated Las Ventas Bullfighting Museumwhich shows the public the history, art and tradition of bullfighting in Madrid.
Discovering a unique environment
The Madrid dehesa is the natural home of the fighting bull, with a unique ecosystem that combines native flora and an open space where the bull can develop in semi-freedom. The fighting bull ranches in Madrid are part of the rural landscape while at the same time playing a fundamental role in the conservation of biodiversity and ecological balance. These places are characterized by minimal human intervention, which allows the bulls to breed in optimal conditions, preserving their character and wild nature.
Madrid Rutas del Toro allows visitors to enter into this natural habitat, visiting 14 cattle ranches distributed in municipalities in the northwest and southeast of the region.. Visitors can learn about the life cycle of the fighting bull, from birth to maturity. Breeding in freedom and respect for the animal's characteristics are essential elements in these farms, where each bull is treated with the necessary care and dignity.
When walking through the pasture it is possible to observe how the fighting bull develops unique qualities, such as bravery, nobility and nobility, the result of genetic selection and breeding in which the gregarious instinct is encouraged. The dehesa thus becomes the setting where this animal lives in harmony with its environment, while livestock activity helps to preserve the natural balance and fix the population in rural areas, promoting local development.
Farm in the Madrid dehesa
Photo: Region of Madrid
History and modernity in the heart of Madrid
The reopening of the renovated Museo Taurino de Las Ventas, an iconic place that reflects the rich history of bullfighting and the cultural importance of the fighting bull, has been great news for bullfighting lovers. Located in the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, the space has been modernized in its three large halls, where everything from the origins of bullfighting to pieces of great artistic and documentary value are exhibited. In its recent renovation, the chapel where the bullfighters go before going out to the ring has been restored and repair work has been carried out on the roof and structure of the museum in order to preserve its heritage value.
Visitors can go through three sections during their visit: one dedicated to the Las Ventas bullring and its history, another to the fighting bulls and their characteristics, and a third that exhibits works by renowned artists. Among these pieces are posters and paintings by renowned artists such as Miquel Barceló, which reflect how bullfighting has been a source of inspiration in Spanish art.
Every year, thousands of visitors from all over the world come to Las Ventas. In 2023, the bullring was visited by more than 150,000 people. The modernization of the museum has been fundamental in adapting its facilities to current needs, offering an enriching experience for those who wish to explore the world of bullfighting from a historical and artistic perspective.
Madrid Rutas del Toro: tourism, tradition and nature
Madrid Rutas del Toro is much more than a tourist route; it is an experience that allows visitors to experience the bull in all its facets, from the respect for its breeding in freedom to the connection with the natural environment of the pasture. Visitors can enjoy activities such as guided horseback riding routes, observation of bulls in their natural habitat and visits to the livestock facilities, where every detail of the life of the fighting bull is explained.
Livestock facilities
Photo: Region of Madrid
Each of the participating ranches has unique facilities, ranging from large recreational areas to restaurant areas where local gastronomy can be sampled. This experience becomes a respectful and sustainable approach to the Madrid countryside, which also promotes local tourism and the region's economy. In addition, some of these cattle ranches offer additional activities, such as tentaderos and capeas, which allow visitors to learn about the relationship that has been woven between man and bull over the years.
Two unique ways of approaching Spanish culture
For those who wish to get to know Spanish culture in depth, the Madrid Rutas del Toro tour can be complemented with a visit to the emblematic tablaos flamencos tablaos flamencos of the region. Both bullfighting and flamenco are expressions of Spanish identity that share a spirit of passion and authenticity.
Madrid Rutas del Toro invites you to live an experience that transcends the rural environment, merging tradition, nature and culture in a tour where the richness of the Region of Madrid is celebrated. From the bravery of the bull in the pasture to the art in a tablao, the city offers a comprehensive view of its history and culture.