La Monumental

The Plaza Monumental de Barcelona, often known simply as La Monumental (Catalan pronunciation: [ɫə munumənˈtaɫ]), was a bullring in the city of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was the last bullfighting arena in commercial operation in Catalonia. It was inaugurated in 1914 under the name Plaza de El Sport and was immediately expanded and renamed in 1916 with its current name. It is situated at the confluence of the Gran Via and Carrer Marina (Marina Street) in the Eixample district. It had a capacity of 19,582 within 26 rows of lines, boxes, and bleachers on the first floor inside and a superior barrage surrounding the building.

It was the last place in Catalonia where bullfights were held, since the Parliament of Catalonia passed a law banning bullfighting events on 28 July 2010 that came into force in 2012.^[1] Balañá family property, which has transferred its operation to the House Matilla.

The building originally had a noucentista architectural style, the work of Manuel Joaquim Raspall i Mayol.^[2] The expansion work was done by Ignasi Mas i Morell and Domènec Sugrañes i Gras to give it its current facade, strongly influenced by Mudéjar and Byzantine architecture.^[3] It is one of the larger public arenas in Barcelona, with a capacity of 19,582 for bullfights or about 25,000 for events such as rock concerts (using part of the ring for spectators).

See also

• Monumental (Barcelona Metro), the metro station serving the arena

References

1. Tremlett, Giles (25 September 2011). "Last bullfight in Barcelona sells out as Spain marks end of 600 years of history". The Guardian (London).
2. "Plaça de toros Monumental (Barcelona - Fort Pienc - Barcelonès)" (in Catalan). Retrieved 14 November 2010.
3. Plaça de Toros Monumental, Ajuntament de Barcelona, retrieved 2010-07-29.

External links

• Info from barcelona.com

Coordinates: 41°24′1″N 2°10′53″E / 41.40028°N 2.18139°E