"Toros Monumental" is a majestic structure that combines Arab and Byzantine influences. From the outside, the bullring looks more like the Roman Colosseum - it is surrounded by a high barrier, behind which are the spectator seats.
It was built specifically for bullfights back in 1914. But 98 years later, the residents of Catalonia spoke out against cruelty to animals, and the favorite pastime of thousands of Spaniards was banned. Today, the "Toros Monumental" arena is used for concerts by stars and circus performances. By the way, if you are lucky and there is a performance here during your stay in Barcelona, try to buy your tickets in advance. Keep in mind that there is one small peculiarity: seats on the sunny side cost almost half as much as those in the shade.
Besides the arena itself, you will probably be interested in seeing the bull pens (although animals have not been kept there for a long time) and the bullfighting museum, which houses posters about the bullfights that took place in this arena, photographs and costumes of famous matadors and picadors, as well as the heads of the fiercest bulls.
The arena is located in the “new district” (“El Ensanche”), where the most famous works of the renowned Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi are gathered. So after visiting the “Spanish Colosseum,” be sure to take a walk around the neighborhood.
