Characterising the Sound Field of an Ovoid Bullring: The Real Maestranza de Caballería, Seville

The Real Maestranza de Caballería in Seville features one of the most prominent Spanish bullrings, characterized by a notable architectural design. Its distinctive ovoid geometry resulted from a protracted construction history (1761–1881), during which the floor plan adapted to pre-existing urban structures. Beyond its architectural significance, the sounds perceived within such venues constitute traces of collective memory and form part of an intangible cultural heritage relevant for understanding the sociocultural context of such spaces. This work provides an acoustic characterisation of the bullring through field measurements. Reverberation time and other monaural and binaural descriptors were determined using 3D impulse responses obtained from strategically placed sources and receivers. This analysis is complemented by examining the sound energy distribution of early reflections in the time–frequency domain to define the acoustic signature of the venue, namely the characteristic pattern of early reflections that unequivocally determines its sound response, and identify the provenance of reflections. In the Maestranza, music and silence are hallmarks of its identity, contributing to a complex auditory environment. The results highlight how its geometry and tiered seating create a differentiated sound field, potentially contributing to the preservation of the site as a cultural landmark.