Do they always kill the bull in bullfighting?
Not always. In traditional bullfighting, the bull can be spared and receive a pardon (called a indulto) if it shows exceptional bravery and performance in the ring. In that case, the bull returns to the ranch to live out its life and may be used for breeding. Click here to see an example of a pardoned bull returning home.
What happens if a bull gores the matador?
Each bullfight involves three matadors. If one matador is seriously injured or unable to continue, the others step in to complete the fight. Safety is always a priority, and medical attention is provided immediately when needed.Why do bulls charge at red capes?
The idea that bulls hate the color red is a myth. Bulls are color-blind to red. What attracts and provokes them is the movement of the cape, not its color.
Do the bulls ever “win” the bullfight?
Yes. If a bull fights so bravely and impressively that the audience and the president of the event agree, the bull can be spared and allowed to live.Are bulls prepared or tortured before a bullfight?
No. Bulls are raised on ranches and brought directly to the ring. They are not tortured or prepared with any strange procedures—they are naturally brave animals bred for strength and ferocity. They live in huge area and long live until they are 5 years old.
How dangerous is bullfighting?
Bullfighting is inherently dangerous. Matadors risk serious injury and, in rare cases, death during the performance. Here’s a link with examples of matadors who have died from bullgore injuries
Is bullfighting banned in Barcelona?
Bullfighting was banned in Barcelona for a period of time. However, bull-related traditions such as running of the bulls and other events still occur. For the latest status and events.
What can CampoToro offer?
CampoToro offers a bloodless introduction to bullfighting culture, including:
Insight into the breeding of brave bulls
A deep dive into bullfighting traditions
Private and exclusive experiences at a bull ranch
Join us to experience the world of bullfighting in a respectful and educational way.
Discover the World of the Toro Bravo with CampoToro
More Bullfighting Vocabulary Here
Bullfighting is more than a spectacle — it is a centuries-old rural culture built around the toro bravo, the brave fighting bull, raised in freedom across vast Spanish landscapes called dehesas. At CampoToro, we open the gates of this hidden world and let you experience the tradition from the inside — without blood, in a respectful and educational way.
A Living Tradition
In the bullring, the corrida de toros follows a structured ritual known as the tercio. The matador, assisted by his cuadrilla (team of bullfighters), works with the bull using the capote (large cape) and later the muleta (red cloth). Each movement, or pase, shows technique, bravery, and harmony between man and animal.
But the true story of the bull begins long before the arena.
Where the Brave Bull Is Born
CampoToro brings you to the origin of everything: the ganadería — the breeding ranch of the toro bravo. Here you will learn about:
- The life of the bull in the open countryside
- The role of the breeder (ganadero)
- How bravery, strength, and nobility are selected through generations
- The importance of the Spanish dehesa ecosystem
You’ll see that these bulls are not farm animals in the usual sense — they live wild, free, and with minimal human contact until adulthood.
Our Main Experiences
We offer private and exclusive ranch experiences designed for travelers who want to understand bullfighting culture beyond the arena:
🐂 Brave Bull Ranch Visit
Walk among the pastures of a working ganadería and observe the toro bravo in its natural environment.
🌿 Introduction to Bullfighting Culture (Bloodless)
Learn the roles of the matador, picador, and banderillero, understand the structure of a corrida, and discover the meaning behind the tradition — all in an educational setting.
🎭 Cape Handling Experience
Feel the weight and movement of the capote and muleta, and understand how bulls react to motion, not color.
🏡 Private Rural Experience
Enjoy an authentic day in the Spanish countryside, connecting gastronomy, nature, and heritage.
More Than a Show — A Cultural Heritage
Bullfighting vocabulary — words like faena, indulto (pardon of the bull), and bravura — comes from a deep connection between land, animal, and people. CampoToro helps you understand this world from its roots, offering access that most visitors to Spain never see.
This is not just tourism.
It is an encounter with nature, tradition, and the spirit of the toro bravo.