![Plaza de Toros de Santamaria (Santamaria Bullring), Bogota](/img/gd_attr/43447.jpg)
Plaza de Toros de Santamaria (Santamaria Bullring), Bogota
The Santamaria Bullring (Plaza de Toros de Santamaria) is a historic bullring in Bogota, known both for its traditional bullfighting events and its role as a cultural venue. Built in 1931, it was the first reinforced concrete structure in the city, designed by Adonai Martinez and Eduardo Lazcano. The bullring was made possible by a land donation from Ignacio Sanz de Santamaria, whose name it bears. In the 1940s, Spanish architect Santiago Mora gave the structure its Neo-Mudejar façade, with characteristic brickwork and Moorish-inspired arches.
Located in the San Diego sector of Bogota’s International Center, near Independence Park, the District Planetarium, and Torres del Parque, the bullring can accommodate 14,500 spectators. It was declared a National Monument in 1984, recognizing its historical and architectural significance.
Traditionally, January and February mark the bullfighting season, a practice inherited from Colombia’s Hispanic colonial past. However, the bullring has not been without controversy. In 2012, then-mayor Gustavo Petro sought to ban bullfighting and repurpose the venue, suspending events for four years. Bullfighting resumed in 2017 under the administration of Enrique Penalosa.
Beyond bullfights, the Santamaría Bullring has hosted concerts, political demonstrations, and sporting events—even transforming its sandy floor into a children’s beach. It also houses the Bullring Museum, which showcases bullfighting history, including costumes, capes, flags, posters, and a photography archive dating back to 1939. Outside the arena stands a statue of Pepe Caceres, a celebrated Colombian matador.
Today, while bullfighting remains a debated tradition, the Santamaria Bullring continues to be an iconic cultural landmark, blending history, art, and public life in the heart of Bogota.
Located in the San Diego sector of Bogota’s International Center, near Independence Park, the District Planetarium, and Torres del Parque, the bullring can accommodate 14,500 spectators. It was declared a National Monument in 1984, recognizing its historical and architectural significance.
Traditionally, January and February mark the bullfighting season, a practice inherited from Colombia’s Hispanic colonial past. However, the bullring has not been without controversy. In 2012, then-mayor Gustavo Petro sought to ban bullfighting and repurpose the venue, suspending events for four years. Bullfighting resumed in 2017 under the administration of Enrique Penalosa.
Beyond bullfights, the Santamaría Bullring has hosted concerts, political demonstrations, and sporting events—even transforming its sandy floor into a children’s beach. It also houses the Bullring Museum, which showcases bullfighting history, including costumes, capes, flags, posters, and a photography archive dating back to 1939. Outside the arena stands a statue of Pepe Caceres, a celebrated Colombian matador.
Today, while bullfighting remains a debated tradition, the Santamaria Bullring continues to be an iconic cultural landmark, blending history, art, and public life in the heart of Bogota.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Bogota. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Plaza de Toros de Santamaria (Santamaria Bullring) on Map
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Sight Name: Plaza de Toros de Santamaria (Santamaria Bullring)
Sight Location: Bogota, Colombia (See walking tours in Bogota)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Bogota, Colombia (See walking tours in Bogota)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Bogota, Colombia
Create Your Own Walk in Bogota
Creating your own self-guided walk in Bogota is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Architectural Jewels
Bogota, Colombia, is quite a city for an architectural experience. Attentive to the local historical heritage, the city has managed to preserve in full splendor most of its colonial buildings.
One such gem is the Palace (or House) of Nariño, the official residence of the President of Colombia. Its grandeur and historical significance make it a prominent landmark.
Not far away from it... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
One such gem is the Palace (or House) of Nariño, the official residence of the President of Colombia. Its grandeur and historical significance make it a prominent landmark.
Not far away from it... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Bogota Shopping Tour
Colombia is known for its gold and emeralds, recognizable national clothing, pottery, accessories, and other crafts. The country's capital Bogota is so rich in authentic shopping that it's almost mind-boggling to decide what to buy first and most importantly, where to buy it at the best possible price!
Start your quest at Pasaje Rivas Market, Bogota's oldest marketplace, offering... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Start your quest at Pasaje Rivas Market, Bogota's oldest marketplace, offering... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Bogota Old Town Walking Tour
In 1538, the indigenous Muisca of the Colombian Altiplano had the advantage in numbers over the force of conquistador Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada. Arriving in the Muisca Federation, the Spanish had only 162 exhausted men. However, the guecha warriors of Chief Tisquesusa were no match. The Federation fell in bloody battle.
In the area now known as Quevedo's Fountain Square, Quesada set up 12... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
In the area now known as Quevedo's Fountain Square, Quesada set up 12... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Enjoying Onces in Bogota
Elevenses, on the surface, seem to be a particularly British tradition, a break for something light and sweet between breakfast and lunch, a time to gossip, a time to catch up, a time just to be. Lo and behold, Colombia somewhere along the line adapted this tradition in a particularly Latin fashion....
18 Uniquely Columbian Things to Buy in Bogota
To those who understand Russian, the word "Bogota" sounds very similar to the one translating as "rich". And, indeed, the city does live up to this name connotation in terms of peculiar things worth exploring in addition to coca, coffee and emeralds. Here's the longer list...