Maracay racecourses - Gustavo Mirabal Castro

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Maracay, a city linked to the animal world. The city of Maracay is closely related to the animal world. Beginning with the origin of its name and the importance of horses, its zoo and Maracay racecourses in its history.

The city of Maracay owes its name to the cacique Maracay (word Caribe meaning tiger), chief of the tribes of the araguas and who stood out for his bravery and strength.

On the other hand, Maracay is a city remembered in other times for its famous zoo, nowadays things have changed, but in other times the Maracay Zoo was recognized for its variety of species and its striking.

Another aspect that characterizes it as a city closely related to the animal world, is the history of Maracay racecourses, in which we will stop later. But first we will know a little more about this wonderful city, capital of the state of Aragua.

Maracay Drone

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Where is Maracay and what makes it special?

Its territorial political division has undergone changes over time. That is why in history we talk about Maracay as Villa of the Province of Caracas; later as the city of La Provincia de Aragua. Later, Maracay is considered part of the Guzmán Blanco State, of the Great Bolívar State. Finally, Maracay will finally become the capital of the Aragua State.

It is located in the far left of the geography of the Aragua state, at the foot of the imposing Lake of Valencia, surrounded by beautiful valleys and bordered by rivers. It was founded by Andrés Pérez Almarza in 1697.

In the year 1800, Alejandro de Humboldt, impressed by its forest beauty and its wide valleys, called it the Garden City.

Its economy and its versatility

Some historians indicate that in the year 1777, the economy of the region had a significant impulse from the first sowing of indigo, a crop that would give it importance for a long time.

In every economy promoted in the 19th century by agriculture, the horse plays a fundamental role. Hence, sooner rather than later, the Maracay racecourses became important.

It is a city rich in historical monuments, cultural institutions and is the birthplace of Venezuelan Aviation. It has a beautiful Plaza Bolívar. Some people claim that it is the largest in Latin America. Others, who love Maracay over all the cities, say it is the most beautiful Plaza Bolivar in the world.

Another important aspect to highlight in the city of Maracay is the quality of its people. The people of Maracay are friendly, their treatment is cordial, their delicacy. Its inhabitants are usually willing to offer hospitality to its visitors and tourists.

The Children and Youth Symphony Orchestra is based in Maracay

The Children and Youth Symphony Orchestra of the State of Aragua, as with most of the country, is not only a space where children and young people develop a musical artistic activity. This orchestra became, for many years, a space of significant social importance. He has rescued children in street situations.

As it happened in the case of the Children of the San Vicente neighborhood. Nowadays they have transformed their life experience from music and community experience, with other children of the Orchestra.

It is an experience that goes beyond music. In this experience, the spiritual growth and the social development of its participants are integrated. This results in the cultivation of good citizens.

The Children and Youth Symphony Orchestra of Aragua state, has participated in national and international events. The Orchestra has also received important recognitions worldwide.

Interesting fact: Origin of the word Orchestra

The term “orchestra” comes from the ancient Greeks. They called the choir “orkestai”, which was accompanied by zithers that danced in the front of the altar consecrated to the God Dionysus. It is a musical group formed by the instruments and the people who execute those instruments. It is made up of string, wind and percussion instruments.

Maracay racecourses: city of horses and splendor.

The city of Maracay, in addition to everything we have previously mentioned, has a particularity in the development of its history and it is precisely that it is a city in which three racecourses were built and at different times.

The assistance to the horse races, in these spaces was always surrounded by extraordinary elegance. Men and women who attended these races put on their best clothes and the women were distinguished especially by wearing beautiful and showy hats. The hippodrome was a place for the meeting of the elite of Maracay and even of other nearby cities.

Maracay, Juan Vicente Gómez and the racecourses

The history of the city of Maracay would be incomplete if the history of its racecourses is not mentioned. Experts and Chroniclers of the city of Maracay always mention them because of the importance they had in the social development of this city, as a space for recreation and interaction in the capital of the state of Aragua.

The history of Maracay racecourses is closely linked with Juan Vicente Gómez.

Gómez ruled Venezuela from 1908 to 1935. He was passionate about hippies. In 1910, Juan Vicente Gómez bought the Racecourse of Paraíso in Caracas, which was a private organization and later passed the racecourse administration to the state.

Gómez always liked the city of Maracay, so much that he established his residence in this city.

In 1912, he ordered to build what would be the first of Maracay racecourses for his personal benefit and enjoyment and that of his closest friends. The racecourse was on Las Delicias Avenue.

The connoisseurs of the history of the racecourses say that this track had a rectangular shape and housed a small tribune in which the worthy, his family and very select friends could fit.

¡Maracay Racecourses, the Racecourses of the Garden City!

David García, in Anecdotes of Equestrian Venezuela (2015), refers some data on the creation of racecourses Maracay. He says that in 1921 the second racecourse was created in the spaces close to the Maestranza and there is currently the Museum of Contemporary Art of Maracay.

Gómez dies in 1935 and the third hippodrome is built in 1940 by José Eduardo Mendoza, known as “Miralejos”. This racecourse was located on the grounds of what is now “El Centro” Urbanization. They say that the track had more than 1200 meters.

It is said that at this racetrack there were interesting equestrian seasons that were narrated by the same Miralejos and Pancho Pepe Cróquer.

From Maracay racecourses to Maracay car racetraks

This racecourse lasted a short time, because in the feeling and in the mind of the majority was returning the experience of the racecourse and the horse races to Caracas.

The experience of this third of Maracay racecourses lasted about five years and later the horse racing track was turned into an automobile racing track. The autodrome (car racetracks) was opened in 1952 and this motivated the population of Aragüeña a lot and then the Turagua autodrome was created. It is called the Pancho Pepe Croquer Speedway.

It was as well as the galloping of the horses, its elegant and stealthy jogging was replaced by the automotive speed. It’s the same passion but with different costumes and clothing, it’s the passion for adventure, for racing, for speed. Only the actors, the characters and the vehicles are a little different.

It is important to say that although in a different way Maracay has distinguished itself by “speed”. The best car racers have left this country and this is where the country’s car racing movement is.

Maracay a city of natural beauties and “speed” that is worth visiting. Discover its history, the history of its horses and Maracay racecourses.