Arena Last Sold In Spain In Barcelona, ​​the End Of 600 Years Of History

It was the end of more than 600 years of history. On Sunday evening, amid the cheers of fans and the agony of bloody fighting bulls in Barcelona held its last corrida ever.

In the evening in the Catalan capital, local sequined dress Matador Serafin Marin sent the last of the six bulls in the arena of full Monumental bullring - that promotes offered tickets at least eight times its original price.

Banned bullfighting in Catalonia next year - and Sunday'sfight that marks the end of the season in Barcelona - Spanish bullfighting no will be killed in the city on behalf of the sport or art in the foreseeable future.

Supporters of the ban denounced as a violation of civil liberties. Opponents said a movement away from barbarism stupid lit.

"We won the war, but today, we lose the battle six animals die," said 32-year protester, who gave only his first name, Montserrat. "I ask," said Anthony, 70, an elegant white hood fits, shows a small crowd of animal rights protesters gathered outside the La Monumental.

In both cases, it was a historic moment. 18 000 spectators packed in to watch the lights is their brilliant costumes matador '"going out for the last time the trumpets loud and melodies Pasodoble band.

There was a huge demand for tickets, they want to see the end, while some fans may be carved out handfuls of sand into the house with them as souvenirs.

"I was in line here since Thursday and slept three nights in a row," said Jordi Piqué, who broke one of the few remaining tickets sold at the door on Sunday morning.

Although bullfighting has been in decline for decades in Catalonia, Barcelona hosted once the major fighting.

It 'was a sign of the decline of the local popularity of what the Spaniards call "the National Fiesta," the architect Richard Rogers had already transformed the arena other large cities, Las Arenas, the shopping center.

Critics blame the ban on hand to Catalan nationalism. Deputies in the local parliament, they said, were voted through only because of bullfighting in Spain has been characterized, and wanted to tell the rest of the Catalan country.

"Parliament has banned bullfighting because it is a Spanish party, for failing to protect animals," says Marin newspaper El Mundo. Last night, he and the other bullfighters were greeted with shouts of "Freedom! Freedom" and songs against Catalan nationalism.

But many local activists, and said that the prohibition is reflected in the sensitivity of local residents unnecessary suffering of animals in the name of fun.

"We are very pleased that the torture of bulls in the bullring Catalan is over," Aida said anti-bullfighting shows Gascón.

The first bullfight in Barcelona took place in 1387. In 1835 an angry mob of fans rioted, burning local monasteries and convents.

Thousands of bulls have died in the sand at La Monumental, Mudejar style building decorated with white tiles and blue, as it was built in 1915. Eight matadors have died after being gored here.

The Spanish kings, the fascist dictator General Franco and the regional presidents of Catalonia, Lluís Companys, as among the guests of honor here.

José Tomás, matador loved by artists and leftist intellectuals, was the star of a bill that included Marin and Juan Mora. The three matadors killed two bulls each.

Tomas lives up to its reputation as a hero for fans of bullfighting in Barcelona with his first bull - was awarded the trophy bleeding from the ear of the bull, such as cheering fans waved white handkerchiefs to express admiration.

Later, he and the Marines have both been taken to turn the shoulders of the fans who now must travel away from Catalonia to see them fight. The nearest large arenas works are found in southern France and the surrounding areas of Aragon and Valencia.

The conservative has already been asked to stand up to the last bull to be killed. Others will be along to sell the trade of meat - meat from fighting bulls, or Toros Bravos, who live in free-range existence before his death, is appreciated by some clients.

La Monumental, which has also hosted concerts by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones are expected to get planning permission for change of use.

Among the projects proposed for the site is a local market, a luxury apartment block and a mosque funded by Dubai.

The blood

Although the origins of bullfighting can return to the gladiators and wild beasts in the Roman amphitheater, the contemporary struggle began in Spain in the 18th century. Bullfighting on horseback had been popular in medieval times, but in 1726 matador Francisco Romero began to fight on foot with a cape and a sword - has sparked a new fashion. The rings were built to prevent a combatant or get cornered bull, with the earliest example dates from the late 18th century, La Maestranza in Seville.

Matador Juan Belmonte, who shot himself in 1962, is the founder of the modern school, drawing the bull dangerously close to his body with the mantle.

Daredevil fighters as Belmonte helped fuel the popular enthusiasm to fight for, and was fascinated by foreigners, with the writer Ernest Hemingway, showing his obsession with death in the afternoon, the sun rises and dangerous summer.

By the mid-20th century, the bullfighters were successful stars and millions so that the moguls Manuel Benitez El Cordobés on television.

Considered a form of art rather than a sport for the fans, the bullfight is also popular in southern France and some South American countries. The largest ring, seats 48,000 people, is in Mexico City. But in Spain, the number of fights has decreased by one third over the past three years, as the bubble in residential construction and municipalities in Spain, which has financed many battles, the loss of income of a building permit.

About 1,700 battles were reported in 2010 - and more than 7,000 bulls were put to the sword. At least 500 farms, including a handful of Catalonia, in the back of the bulls.