When did bullfighting begin in Pamplona?

The origins of bullfighting in Pamplona trace back centuries, rooted in ancient Roman traditions where bull-related rituals were part of various cultures across the Iberian Peninsula. However, the modern form of bullfighting, as we recognize it today, emerged in the 18th century. During this time, bullfighting transformed from a mere, unstructured spectacle to a highly crafted performance with defined rules and roles for the participating bullfighters, or "toreadores". From July 6th to 14th every year, Pamplona becomes the bullfighting capital of the world. However, even today, there is much controversy about the "maltreatment " of the bulls during the San Fermin festival.

WHERE CAN WE LEAVE OUR LUGGAGE DURING THE SANFERMINES??

Many of you have written to us, asking where can you leave your luggage, backpacks, etc, before you are able to check into your rooms, or after you check out of your rooms??

You will be happy to know that there is a "left luggage" area, called the "Consigna", at the old school building, located directly on the Plaza de San Francisco, in the heart of the sanfermines fiesta! 

The hours of the "Consigna" are from 8:00am on July 4th, continuously through 2:00pm, on July 15th.

 

In 2023 - the cost to leave each piece of luggage, each backpack, etc was 4.75 euros, per 24 hours. We expect that the price will be about the same in 2024.

 

Viva San Fermín, 2024!

Are the BULLRUNS really dangerous?

Now that the sanfermines, 2024, are rapidly trampling upon us, many of you have written to us in the past weeks, inquiring about our own opinions about running with the bulls in Pamplona. Many of you have asked if the bullruns are really dangerous??!! 

We can tell you from the experiences of many of our Pamplona friends and family: THE BULLRUNS IN PAMPLONA ARE NOT REALLY DANGEROUS.....THEY ARE REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY DANGEROUS! 

Included here are two photos that tell the story quite well, photos that were taken within seconds of each other, on the same day!

NUDE protests in Pamplona - July 5th!

Many of you have written to us, asking about the nude protests that have been taking place in Pamplona each July 5th, for the past 20+ years!  This non-violent event in Pamplona has grown into a protest of about 2000 naked, or at least semi-naked, PETA members - all of whom are true animal lovers and much concerned about the treatment of the bulls, during the San Fermín fiestas.  Most of these kindhearted adults wear not much more than their red scarves and tiny bullhorns on their heads, and, consequently, they are quite successful in gaining lots of attention and international news coverage for their cause! The exact time and route of the protests are usually unknown to spectators - and even to the participants, as well! But, you can be sure that the protests will take place on July 5th - sometime in the late morning through the afternoon hours, in the old city, Pamplona! 

Rumors ran rampant this past July, 2023, that the nude protesters were not going to come to Pamplona on July 5th, so as not to draw more curious tourists and money to the San Fermín fiestas. However, rest assured, there were indeed hundreds of semi-nude PETA participants, scattered throughout the Plaza Consistorial, aka the Town Hall Square - and, yes, lots of photographers did show up to record the events in high definition!

For more information, and to pre-register as a nude participant, check out: 

https://www.peta.org/features/what-you-dont-know-about-running-of-the-bulls/

What about CAMERAS at the CHUPINAXCO ceremonies on July 6th??!!

If you insist on bringing a camera into this madness of the CHUPINAXCO, we suggest that you wrap your camera completely in a waterproof bag. Or, we suggest that you bring a waterproof camera, due to the huge amounts of champagne, wine, mustard, mayonnaise, eggs, or other colorful condiments and refreshments that participants throw upon each other!   We suggest that you do NOT bring your favorite, expensive digital camera into these crowds - your camera will either be ruined with the above mentioned champagne, wines, etc...or, the professional pickpockets may very well add your camera to their collections of San Fermín contraband!  See pictures here, which show the density of the crowds that gather for the chupinaxco. Watch this video for more information:  http://www.sanfermin.com/index.php/en/la-fiesta/txupinazo More info on what to expect at the CHUPINAXCO will follow in another post.