History Plaza de toros Acho
We are in Lima, Peru. Built over 250 years ago, the Plaza de Toros de Acho is the oldest bullring in the Americas but not only: perhaps surprisingly, considering its New World location, it’s also the second-oldest active bullring in the world after the Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza in Seville, Spain.
Already in 1765, a full 56
years before Peru declared its independence from Spain, Agustín Hipólito de
Landaburu y Ribera, a wealthy landowner and colonial official in the
Viceroyalty of Peru, decided to build a majestic bullring in Lima. So, he asked
permission to construct what he called “a fixed plaza for the corridas de
toros” that would take place in Lima during the city’s celebration of Carnival.
For the location he chose a raised piece of land about five miles from the
coast, known locally as El Hacho. According to the Real Academia Española,
hacho is a Quechua word meaning “a high place near the coast, from where the
sea is well discovered and on which fire signals were used”, which is a whole
lot of meaning in one short word.
Previously bullfights had been held here, but only in temporary rings.
Landaburu had money to throw away, so he didn’t waste any time building the new
plaza de toros, which opened on 30 January 1766. The inaugural run showcased
the bullfighters Pisí, Maestro de España, and Gallipavo. Its first victim was
one of Landaburu’s own bulls, named Albañil Blanco, meaning The Mason.
Since its inauguration, the steady flow of blood in the square has never
stopped and bullfights continued also throughout the latter years of Peru’s War
of Independence, when from 1821 to 1826 all proceeds from the fights were given
to Peru’s liberating armies.
La Plaza de toros de Acho
The Plaza de Toros de Acho is the premier bullring in Lima, Peru. Located beside the historical center of the Rímac District, the plaza is classified as a national historic monument. It is the oldest bullring in the Americas and the second-oldest in the world after La Maestranza in Spain (not counting the Roman Empire-era Arles Amphitheatre in France). It opened on 30 January 1766.
Exterior view of the Plaza de Acho
Of the 56 official bullrings in Peru, the Plaza de Acho ranks most prominently. It has a seating capacity of 13,700[1] and was constructed of adobe and wood, both traditional materials.
History
In 1765, Agustín Hipólito de Landaburu sought permission to construct what he called "a fixed plaza for the corridas de toros" that would take place in Lima during the city's celebration of Carnival. The plaza would be constructed in the Rímac district on a site that had been used for several temporary bullrings since 1754.[2] The site was called “el Hacho,” a Quechua word meaning “elevated place with view of the sea.” Construction on the plaza officially began on 30 January 1766.[2]:72
Luis Ordoñez
Manuel Benites El cordovez corrida 1965
Plaza de Acho
The inaugural run took place on 30 January 1766, and showcased the bullfighters Pisí, Maestro de España, and Gallipavo. The first bull to be killed in the plaza was a white animal called "El Albañil," meaning The Mason.[2]:73
Throughout its existence, revenues from the Plaza de Acho have been designated for the organizers of different corridas. An exception to this was during the war for independence from Spain: between the years of 1821 and 1826 all proceeds from the plaza were directed to the liberating army.[2]:87
The plaza was remodeled once, in 1944, due to deteriorated conditions.[2]:218–219 Although the work was generally considered successful in retaining the plaza's beloved characteristics, at least one writer bemoaned the "fall" of the old plaza: "Solemn, silent and decrepit--like those old actresses burdened with years-old glories and fames--the old Plaza de Toros de Lima has fallen."[2]:219
Since its opening, the Plaza de Acho has hosted many famous bullfighters or toreros, including Juan Belmonte, Manuel Rodríguez 'Manolete', Luis Miguel Domínguez 'Dominguín', and Manuel Benítez 'El Cordobés'.[3]
Acho today
Sebastian Castella at Acho, 2008
The bullfighting fair held in honor of the annual Señor de los Milagros festival takes place at the plaza on Sundays through October and November. During the fair, Lima brings in some of the world's most lauded talent (the bill for 2019 included Andrés Roca Rey, Sebastian Castella, and Jose Mari Manzanares)[4] The best bullfighter of the year is awarded the Escapulario de Oro (Golden Scapular), while the " Escapulario de Plata" Silver Scapular goes to the provider of the best bull. Sometimes either or both scapulars may go not awarded.
The very old Plaza Acho
With affection,
Ruben
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