THE CITY OF MALAGA'S MAGNIFICENT BULLRING WAS 127 YEARS OLD THIS LAST JUNE. OVER THE YEARS, THE GREATEST BULLFIGHTERS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY HAVE GRACED ITS ARENA AND NOW, IN AUGUST, THE BULLFIGHTING WORLD LOOKS SOUTH ONCE AGAIN, TO ITS MOST COASTAL BULLRING. THIS IS THE STORY OF A UNIQUE MONUMENT, WHOSE LIFE IS WRITTEN IN THE SUN WITH BLOOD AND SAND.

Despite always being outshone by the city of Ronda as far the "breeding" of great bullfighters is concerned, bullfighting here in Málaga has always had one of the largest followings in the country.
Shows involving bulls began long ago, and, as in many places, the city's main square was adapted for the purpose. Such improvised arenas were enclosed by wooden frames, platforms and stages and, almost always, use was made of the arcades that surrounded them. These old squares, of which some good examples still exist today (like the Chinchon in Madrid) served as bullrings up until the end of the 18th century.

Origins
The first bullring to figure in Malaga's history books was built near to the convent "del Carmen" It was made of wood and had a capacity for 5000 spectators. This explains why the street where that first ring was once situated is called Plaza de Toros Vieja (The old bullring).
In 1817, that bullring was replaced by another, again made of wood, erected to the west of the city, next to the sea. This had more room for spectators, but because it was next to several wine cellars it was feared that a fire could easily break out, and for this reason it was taken down.
The ring that replaced this one, erected in what is now Puerta Nueva (New gate) was too small to hold all the city's bullfight enthusiasts, and hence it was soon decided that a new ring should be built and, for the first time, in stone. The site was next to the convent of San Francisco, which no longer exist, and could hold 14000 spectators. It was opened on 14 August 1849 and altered several times. Just twelve years later, in 1864, the advertised bullfight was cancelled for political reasons, and the owner, Juan María Álvarez, decided to demolish it.

The new bullring
Before construction began on La Malagueta, bullfights in Málaga were held in a theatrecum-circus called the Victoria. There, an amateur association was responsible for organising the "novilladas" or bullfights. Because its capacity was small, with room for only 3000, construction began on the new and final ring next to Paseo de Reding. It was 1874. The architec in charge of the project was Joaquín de Rucoba.
Two years later, on 11 June 1876, the new ring was opened. On that historic afternoon Murube bulls were fought by Manuel Dominguez, Antonio Carmona, "el Gordito" (Fatty), and Rafael Molina "Lagartijo" (the Lizard). It was a triumphant success and put two names into the history books: Salamanquino, the first bull into the arena and Baratero, a splendid specimen who took 17 lances and killed seven horses before aventually being finished off by El Gordito. At last the people of Málaga had a permanent bullring and one which lived up to their expectations.

La Malagueta, built in a neo-Mudejar style, is one of the most beautiful bullring in all Spain. The eighteen-sides regular polygon structure holds 14000 spectators and the ring itself measures 52 metres in diameter. Its desing was modelled on that of the Puerta de Alcalá Bullring in Madrid, as was the case for almost all bullrings built in the second half of the 19th century. Many improvements have been made to it since it was opened.
At the present time it has four corrals, ten pens and a small corral for tryring out horses as well as all the other facilities to be found at any bullring. Also to be found inside, The Museo Taurino (Bullfighting Museum) "Antonio Ordoñez" deserves a special mention. It has gathered together art and legend and gives an idea of the kind of religious feelings incited nor only by the great figure of the bullfighter but by the irrational passions the spectacle itself gives rise to.

Bullfighting Museum. "Antonio Ordoñez"