Plaza de toros de Acho
Encyclopedia
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 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
).
Of the 56 official bullrings in Peru, the Plaza de Acho ranks most prominently. It has a seating capacity of 17,000 and was constructed of adobe
and wood
, both traditional materials.
. The plaza would be constructed in the Rímac district on a site that had been used for several temporary bullrings since 1754. The site was called “el Hacho,” a Quechua word meaning “elevated place with view of the sea.” Construction on the plaza officially began on the 30th of January, 1766.
The inaugural run took place on the 30th of 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.
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.
The plaza was remodeled once, in 1944, due to deteriorated conditions. 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."
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'.
http://elcomercio.pe/impresa/notas/y-plaza-acho/20090622/303811 Puiggrós, Bartolomé, "¿Y la Plaza de Hacho?" El Comercio. June, 2009.
http://www.aficionperu.com/tauromaquia/ Afición Perú
Bullring
A bullring is an arena where bullfighting is performed. Bullrings are often associated with Spain, but they can also be found in neighboring countries and the New World...
in Lima
Lima
Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima...
, Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
. Located beside the historical center of the Rímac District
Rímac District
Rímac is a district in the Lima Province, Peru. It lies directly to the north of downtown Lima, to which it is connected by six bridges over the Rímac River. The district also borders the Independencia, San Martín de Porres, and San Juan de Lurigancho districts...
, the plaza is classified as a national historic monument. It is the oldest in the Americas and the second-oldest in the world after La Maestranza in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
(not counting the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
-era Arles Amphitheatre
Arles Amphitheatre
The Arles Amphitheatre is a Roman amphitheatre in the southern French town of Arles. This two-tiered Roman Amphitheatre is probably the most prominent tourist attraction in the city of Arles, which thrived in Roman times....
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
).
Of the 56 official bullrings in Peru, the Plaza de Acho ranks most prominently. It has a seating capacity of 17,000 and was constructed of adobe
Adobe
Adobe is a natural building material made from sand, clay, water, and some kind of fibrous or organic material , which the builders shape into bricks using frames and dry in the sun. Adobe buildings are similar to cob and mudbrick buildings. Adobe structures are extremely durable, and account for...
and wood
Wood
Wood is a hard, fibrous tissue found in many trees. It has been used for hundreds of thousands of years for both fuel and as a construction material. It is an organic material, a natural composite of cellulose fibers embedded in a matrix of lignin which resists compression...
, 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 CarnivalCarnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
. The plaza would be constructed in the Rímac district on a site that had been used for several temporary bullrings since 1754. The site was called “el Hacho,” a Quechua word meaning “elevated place with view of the sea.” Construction on the plaza officially began on the 30th of January, 1766.
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.
The plaza was remodeled once, in 1944, due to deteriorated conditions. 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."
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'.
Acho Today
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 2009 included Miguel Ángel Perrera, Julián López "El Juli", and Manuel Jesús "El Cid.") The best bullfighter of the year is awarded the Escapulario de Oro (Golden Scapular).External links
http://www.torosperu.com Torosperu.comhttp://elcomercio.pe/impresa/notas/y-plaza-acho/20090622/303811 Puiggrós, Bartolomé, "¿Y la Plaza de Hacho?" El Comercio. June, 2009.
http://www.aficionperu.com/tauromaquia/ Afición Perú