Zaragoza: The Most Luxurious El Pilar Fair in Recent Years

The bicentennial and historic bullring of Zaragoza – where Goya sketched much of his Tauromaquia, where local novilleros Herrerín and Ballesteros staged their fierce rivalry, where Manolete performed one of his most celebrated faenas preserved on film, and where Julio Aparicio Sr. cut off a bull’s leg – is now preparing for a truly luxurious El Pilar Fair.

For ten consecutive days, the coso de Pignatelli will host the greatest names of the bullfighting world. The highlights include the alternativa of Cristiano Torres, a mano a mano between Castella and Aarón Palacio, a diverse selection of livestock, the most promising novilleros, and the presence of up to five toreros from Aragón.

In total, ten events will be staged in Zaragoza, with a line-up crowned by Morante de la Puebla – returning to La Misericordia after three years of absence – and by Peruvian star Andrés Roca Rey, both acting as the main pillars of the fair.

One of the most eagerly awaited afternoons will take place on Friday, 10 October, when Morante and José María Manzanares will act as padrino and witness, respectively, at the alternativa of local torero Cristiano Torres, with bulls from Núñez del Cuvillo. The following day, Saturday, 11 October, Roca Rey will share the bill with Alejandro Talavante and young promise Tristán Barroso, fighting bulls from Juan Pedro Domecq.

Another key attraction comes on Thursday, 9 October, when Aarón Palacio – who will take his alternativa on 20 September in Nîmes (France) – will make his debut as a fully fledged matador in La Misericordia, in a mano a mano with Sebastián Castella, the most acclaimed French matador in history.