Bogotá’s Bullfighting Stadium

Bogotá’s Bullfighting Stadium, the Plaza de Toros de Santamaria, is a handsome brick stadium built in the 1930s in a Moorish architectural style. The main bullfighting season is only January and February, with some amateur demonstration fights in August. A typical afternoon includes three bullfighters, each of whom kills two bulls. (Ocassionaly, if a bull is considered extremely courageous, it receives an ‘indulto,’ or ‘forgiveness’ and is allowed to live.

Bullfighting, la fiesta brava, is controversial everywhere. In Bogotá, protesters always hold demonstrations against both bullfighting’s cruelty and its celebration of violence.

A positive reflection on bullfighting

Colombia’s two most famous bullfighters of recent times were Pepe Caceres, who was killed by a bull, and Cesar Rincon, who got out of the business alive and now raises fighting bulls on ranches in Spain and Colombia.

The bullfighter’s goal is not simply to kill the bull, but to show off his (or her) skill, courage and manliness by having the animal make a series of close passes. Many bullfighters are gored and a few killed by gorings in the ring.

The kill at the end, with a sword thrust through the spine into the heart, is meant to be quick. But bullfighters sometimes bungle it and the animal slowly bleeds while the shamed torero stabs at it again and again. On the other hand, the bulls live well before being brought to the arena, where the fight lasts only 15 to 20 minutes - I’d rather be one of them than an animal raised on a factory farm.

In 1948, during the bogotazo riots following the assassination of leftist politician Jorge Eliecer Gaitan, the stadium was used as an outdoor morgue. In the following weeks, the extreme political tension of the time caused a riot in the stadium between members of the Liberal and Conservative political parties. About 53 bullfighting fans were stabbed to death.

The plaza also has a museum, which opens infrequently.

The Plaza de Toros Santa Maria, Bogotá's bullfighting stadium. Built in 1930, the stadium is also used for concerts. Colombia is one of the few countries in Latin America where bullfighting is still practiced. During the season, January, February and August, animal rights and anti-violence protesters demonstrate in front of the stadium. Good for them!

Sometimes we get a chance to practice bullfighting (with dull swords and tame bulls). Many cyclists have gone on to become famous bullfighters.

What style! Bring on the bull! Bullfighting is a cruel 'sport,' but it does require courage and skill. And the stadium is beautiful.

Outside the Santa Maria Bullfighting Stadium.

Protesters against bullfighting march down Seventh Ave.