Real de San Carlos
Plaza de Toros Real de San Carlos
The building at night.
General information
Type	Bullring
Architectural style	Moorish architecture
Town or city	Colonia del Sacramento
Country	Uruguay
Coordinates	34°26′11″S 57°51′55″W / 34.436527°S 57.865189°W / -34.436527; -57.865189
Construction started	1909; 115 years ago (1909)
Inaugurated	January 1910, 09; 114 years ago (09-01-1910)
Renovated	2020
Cost	US$7,000,000
Height	22 metres (72 ft)
Dimensions
Diameter	100 metres (330 ft)
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Josip Marković

Plaza de toros Real de San Carlos is a former bullring in Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay. Built in 1909 it was shortly closed after prohibition of bull fighting in 1912. After a century of abandonment, in 2021 it was finally restored and transformed into a cultural center for musical or sportive events.

History

It officially opened on January 9, 1910, featuring the most famous Bullfighters of the time, Ricardo Torres (a.k.a. Bombita Grande) and his brother Manuel (a.k.a. Bombita Chico) from Spain.

Although originally scheduled to open on January 8, the opening was postponed as the owners feared they did not have the necessary comforts and services required for the event. Due to public uproar, mainly from Buenos Aires, they yielded to public demand and opened the following day to no less than 7,000 spectators.

The arena hosted a total of eight fights before bull fighting was prohibited by the Uruguayan national government in 1912.^[1]

When in operation it could host 10,000 spectators. It is designed in typically Moorish style.

The bull ring was part of a tourist complex including a jai alai court, a hotel, and racecourse. Currently^[when?] only the racecourse is still in operation.

Restoration

As of 2019, the bullring was restored and turned into a multi-complex.^[2]

Gallery

Before restoration