Bullfighting dates to ancient Rome. The sport had not developed into its modern form until A.D. 711, when the North African Moors conquered Andalusia and made bullfighting into a festival associated with important feast days.
Contemporary bullfights usually involve six bulls, which are killed by three matadors in about 15 minutes each. Fights generally start at 5 p.m. Matadors are the stars of the show; they are assisted by banderilleros and picadors.
Matadors are distinguished by their outfits, which include heavy, embroidered silk jackets, tight leggings and a specialized hat called a montera.
Spain's most famous bullring is Madrid's La Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, first used in 1931.
Although the sport has been criticized as cruel, fighting bulls are allowed to live longer than their counterparts that go to the slaughterhouse. Bulls for beginning matadors should be three years old, while experienced matadors fight four-year-old bulls.
