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More Pamplona Insights |
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A few more
The running of the bulls in Pamplona dates back to the 16th century, and possibly earlier. However, the event became globally renowned mainly because of its description in "The Sun Also Rises", a 1926 book by Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway never ran the bulls. He was always an onlooker. However, as his many fans know, he was a bullfight aficionado. a 22-year-old American from Chicago.
The running of the bulls and the bullfights are not without controversy. Animal-righters have demonstrated in Pamplona against the treatment of the bulls, in and out of the ring. Once they did it in the nude to draw more attention to their cause. It worked.
The six fighting bulls for each daily bullfight are accompanied down the streets by steers to help keep them reasonably peaceful.
The Plaza de Toros in Pamplona seats over 19,000 spectators, making it the world's third largest bullring. Only those in Madrid and Mexico City are bigger.
You need not come for the full 9 days of the festival. Most Pamplona tourists come for the day - or stay for only one or two nights.
They are not easy to obtain for the festival. If you cannot book them in Pamplona, consider staying in San Sebastian, about 90 kilometers (55 miles) away. Then come by car, bus or train on day trips. While you're in Pamplona, you might find a last-minute cancellation.
If you cannot be in Pamplona in July, other towns in Spain have similar (though smaller scoped) festivals and bull runnings taking place in different months.
My other Pamplona web pages
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I hope your Spain travel dreams come true - and that my More Pamplona Insights page helps you enjoy your vacation, tour or trip ©2008 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications
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Ernest
Hemingway's influence
