Hello!
I've been to Malaga recently on business and when I had some free time I wondered thru the city.
One place that I have stumbled upon was the famous bullring Plaza de toros de La Malagueta
The first event was in 1876 and is still operating. Bullfighiting or corrida de toros (running of the bulls) has originated in Spain and has been adopted by number of countries.
Toréadors, fight two out of a total of six fighting bulls, each of which is at least four years old and weighs up to about 600 kg (with a minimum weight limit of 460 kg)
There are 3 stages of the bull "fight":
Stage 1 – Tercio de Varas
This is mainly about observing the bull, his movements, behaviours, weaknesses. In this stage two picadores (matadors assistants) move through the arena on horses and stab the bull in its neck, this is to weaken the bull so he does not lift his head during the next stages.
Stage 2 – Tercio de Banderillas
In this stage three banderilleros (another assistants of the matador) attempt to plant banderillas (little flags) in bulls shoulder.
These further weaken the bull and provoke him into more ferocious charges.
Stage 3 – Tercio de Muerte
This is when the matador gets ready for the final part - killing of the bull with his sword. Obviously there is quite a lot of theatre around this act.
I've taken couple of photos and had lively discussions about the whole premise of bull fighting.
I have to say, I personally am not a fan of this but would like to hear your opinion on it.
Interesting fact:
The red colour of the cape is just a tradition, bulls are actually colour blind: they attack moving objects (the real reason that a red coloured cape is used is that any blood stains on it will be less visible)