La Petatera: The world’s largest handcrafted bullring
Recognized as a National Artistic Monument by the INBA, La Petatera is rebuilt every year with wood and palm mats by local artisan families. This temporary event, at the heart of the Charrotaurina Festivities, immerses visitors in a unique experience where tradition, art, and culture come together, creating a celebration that brings the whole community to life.
Every year in Villa de Álvarez, Colima, something truly remarkable takes place: La Petatera, the largest handcrafted bullring in the world. What makes it unique is that it isn’t a permanent structure, but a temporary arena built entirely from natural materials—wood, woven palm mats, and rope—assembled in just a few weeks and taken down in a single day. For more than 150 years, around 70 local families have kept alive this extraordinary artisanal tradition, turning craftsmanship into living heritage.
Founded in 1857, La Petatera is the centerpiece of the famous Charrotaurina Festivities in honor of Saint Philip of Jesus, a celebration that blends devotion, tradition, and community pride. Recognized as a National Artistic Monument by the Mexican Institute of Fine Arts (INBA), and declared a Cultural Heritage Site of Colima, La Petatera is also considered one of the most outstanding examples of temporary architecture worldwide.
Its dimensions are as impressive as its history: with a 60-meter diameter, a total area of nearly 5,000 m², and space for over 5,000 spectators, La Petatera is built using thousands of logs, nearly 3,000 mats, more than 15 kilometers of rope, and close to 100,000 hand-assembled pieces. The sheer scale of the construction, done without modern machinery, highlights the collaborative spirit and artisanal mastery of the community.
But La Petatera is more than architecture—it is an experience. Each February, the arena becomes the heart of Villa de Álvarez’s festivities, hosting bullfights, traditional horseback parades, music, and regional cuisine. Visitors not only witness a cultural event, but also take part in a tradition that has been passed down for generations and continues to bring people together.
Plan your visit: Discover Colima through La Petatera, where culture, craftsmanship, and celebration meet. Come be part of a one-of-a-kind event that exists only for a fleeting moment each year, yet leaves a lasting impression on everyone who experiences it.
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