Plaza del Toros, Albacete

[Philip]

The Spanish town of Albacete has long been associated with bullfighting; the earliest known reference to it is found in council documents dating from 1564. However, it took until the 18th century before the first purpose-built bullring was constructed in the town. As the population, and interest in the fighting, increased this ring proved to be inadequate and so was replaced in 1829 with a larger arena which could hold more spectators. In it's turn, it was also deemed not fit for purpose, and so a third ring (the subject of this model) was commissioned. Work began on 20 September 1916 and it's doors were ready to open to the punters on 9 September 1917. That's quick alright. Nowadays the ring is home to all sorts of civic activities such as music concerts, rallies and the like but it is given over every September to a grand bullfighting festival; eight consecutive days of spectacle featuring the very best performers.

The model is a free download from the Albacete website, that happy hunting ground of local architecture. The scale quoted is 1:500. Somebody here (wyvern perhaps?) had information that at least some of the models on the site were designed for an A3 format. As I printed mine on A4 paper the scale could be 1:1000 I suppose. Dunno. It's certainly very small, almost Micromodel-like, with a footprint measuring 18 x 13.5 cm. Some of the build was a bit of a struggle, I have to admit, but perseverance brings it's own reward, or so I'm told.

You can obtain your festival tickets here: Albacete bullring - Bullfight tickets Albacete

Ole!

[Michael Mash]

Nice work Phillip.
A small model . . . but still looks like it will seat 12,000 people.
Very attractive architecture around the outside.
Mike

[Mike Stamper]

Nice one Phillip,

I'll have to investigate further I've recently built a series of 6 small Spanish castles. The graphics seem to be very old nowhere as good as "your albacete.

Cheers
Mike

[Tapcho]

Albacete model offering is very interesting. Many models there I'd like to build/consider building and this has been one of them. Fine build Philip and if there was struggling along the way you managed hide itat least from my eyes. But bullfights, a big no-no for me. I can't forgive that to the 'albacetians' but I confess I really like their coat of arms - bat hovering over flabergasted towers. Sweet.

Cheers,
Tappi

[Philip]

Thank you for your visits, friends. Always a pleasure. As for bullfighting I take no side in the debate, although I can sympathize with Tappi's position. I just thought it an unusual model which looked like it could be an interesting experience to build. And, believe me, it was!

[Viator]

The real thing has 87 m diameter of an outer ring wall (see Google Map satellite view attached for reference), and according to your images and description the same ring wall diameter scaled down is around 11,5 cm.

So, the scale is nearly equal 1/750.

Very fine model!

[John Wagenseil]

If any one wishes to see bullfights without bull blood, they can be seen in Central California.
Bloodless Bullfighting, A Portuguese Tradition Kept Alive In Central Valley - CBS San Francisco

[Thumb Dog]

Hi All,

And hi, Philip. Fine work on your bullring.

Having never been to a bullfight, I didn’t factor in the need for the large stockyard to house the bulls. Your model gives me a better understanding of the building’s layout.

Referring to the bullring, you mentioned, “…its door were ready to open to the punters on 9 September 1917.” My question is, how do you bet on a bullfight? It would seem that the odds favor the matador defeating the exhausted bull by a wide margin. What am I missing?

Well done on you Plaza del Toros. Olé!

Score and fold,

Thumb Dog