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Pamplona - Rich in History and Charm
Pamplona full of History and Charm
Located in the centre of the Autonomous region of Navarre, lies Pamplona, the capital of the Ancient Kingdom of Navarre.
Pamplona has always been an important stopping point on the Pilgrim's Way to Santiago de Compostela and was founded by the Roman general Pompey on the ancient Vascon settlement of Irua in 75 B.C
Pamplona now has a population of around 200.000 and is a historic , charming, welcoming and modern city. The old quarter is a travelers delight and full of narrow streets, small plazas, churches, towers and Nobel dwellings.
Go deeper into the city and so much of the cities history will be revealed. Some of the cities most fascinating and popular destinations include the town hall, built in 1752 which commemorates the union of the hamlets of San Cernin, San Nicolas and Navarrera. Theres is the gothic church of Santo Domingo from the 16th Century. The Museum of Navarre houses an important collection of archaeological pieces and works of art. The outstanding Santa Mara la Real Cathedra is located in the La Navarrera neighborhood and so much more.
And remember some of the finest Spanish cuisine and wine comes from this beautiful region. Walking around the old quarter you will come across an amazing choice of restaurants serving a wide variety of local delicacies including lamb, small green peppers and locally grown asparagus dishes, not to mention an array of tapas ( Pinchos ) bars.
Exploring the historic part of Pamplona is easy by staying at some of the great value hotels located in the central part of the city . They include the AV Ciudad de Pamplona .This smart and modern hotel is situated in the centre of Pamplona, between the university site and the Ciudadela Park. From here you can stroll into the historic centre. Relax with friends or colleagues in the comfortable AC Lounge, at the end of a long days sightseeing the city. During the running of the bull festival, this is the ideal place to retreat from the festivities in the city centre and get some rest. The hotel also boasts a fitness centre, where you can unwind and exercise while on holiday. There is also a smart restaurant onsite, which allows you to sample typical local cuisine without leaving the hotel.
Pamplona full of History and Charm Located in the centre of the Autonomous region of Navarre, lies Pamplona, the capital of the Ancie...
Running with the Bulls in Pamplona
Pamplona � The clock strikes eight and an audible silence descends on the morning crowds awaiting the cohetes, a rocket fired when the bulls are running. In just seconds twelve tons of bull charge through the narrow medieval streets of Pamplona overflowing with 3500 runners. Our tour started in Spain's northern wine region, an hour southwest of Pamplona. Rioja is a sleepy little province largely untouched by tourism.
Stopping along bike routes overflowing with vines, we savored excellent red wines. Winemakers often invited us for dinner and another took us into her home to proudly display pictures of children and grandchildren. Hot daytime temperatures gave way to comfortable nights with the region's majestic northern mountains providing cool relief in the evenings.
The Spanish are not clock-watchers. Opening hours in shops are mere recommendations. Breakfast is served at nine, lunch starts at two, siestas are the norm and the dinner table is set at nine or ten. Virtual ghost-towns during the day, small villages teem with activity after sunset.
From sleeply Rioja we traveled north to the province of Navarra and rugged Basque country.
The Basque are an ancient people with their own language and culture. Pamplona is the province's capital city. Roughly the same size as Mississauga (pop 250,000), its population triples during the San Fermin festival. This religious festival in honor of Saint Fermin runs every year from July 6-14.
A dozen bulls run every morning except on opening day or the Chupinazo when there is an opening ceremony in front of city hall that can only be described as part rock concert, part champagne water fight, part World Cup soccer match.
The crowds are rowdy but good-natured. The Spanish are lovers not fighters and the only real danger is during the bull runs. The daily runs or encierros are a throwback to medieval times when herdsmen drove their bulls through the streets of Pamplona to the bullrings.
Bullfighting has been a Spanish tradition for hundreds of years. Townspeople helped drive the bulls and this tradition eventually became running in front of the bulls. Hemingway made Pamplona famous with his book, �The Sun Also Rises.� Running with the bulls is a dangerous yet exhilarating experience. If there was any doubt as to the risk, the entire route is lined with two sets of protective fencing. Would-be runners often give up minutes before the run as ambulances, medical crews and police take their stations.
The smell of fear is everywhere and only grows thicker as the bell tower strikes eight. Near silence is broken by the crack of a rocket announcing the gates have opened. A second rocket announces the bulls are running. What follows is pure mayhem. Yells and screams reach a fever pitch. The crowd surges forward and then parts as the herd approaches. Each bull weighs at least 1200 pounds and even with heads bowed their horns easily reach up to your shoulders. Running in front of them is terrifying. Your feet hardly touch the ground. The bulls start overtaking and you instinctively move to the side but strangely follow the herd whooping and screaming. Your run may have lasted just seconds but the memories last a lifetime. The bull runs are just a small part of the festival. Families with small children are everywhere and the streets are overflowing with crowds, rides, bands, parades and dancing. Despite the often raucous masses, the feeling is one of friendship where all are united in joyous celebration.
Bull running is the most famous side of San Fermin, but we most remember the warmth and kindness of the people of Spain.
This article ( Running with the Bulls ) was kindly provided by Ryan King the President and owner of pamplona-spain web site.
Thanks Ryan
Gary
Pamplona � The clock strikes eight and an audible silence descends on the morning crowds awaiting the cohetes, a rocket fired when the bull...
Navarre Holidays and Pamplona Holiday Attractions
Navarre is a region in northern Spain that is bordered to the north by France, the Basque Country to the west, La Rioja to the south, and Aragon to the east. Similar to other regions of Spain, Navarre has its own parliament and government and is responsible for its regional education, health, employment, housing and environmental policies.
Navarre is a cultural mix of the Basque influence from the beautiful Pyrenees Mountains and Mediterranean influences coming from the Ebro River. The Ebro valley is fertile and rich in nutrients making it amenable for growing wheat, vegetables, wine and olive trees. The river eventually leads to the Parc Natural del Delta del Ebro south of Catalonia on the Costa Blanca and offers some of the best carp and cat fishing to be found anywhere in Europe. Pamplona capital of Navarre Pamplona became the region's capital city in the 10th century and it is now home to a third of the region�s population.
Pamplona has played a central role in Navarre history having been founded by the Romans, occupied by the Moors and briefly the domination of Charlemagne. Pamplona is a prosperous and modern city with wide boulevards and spacious parks. It is also listed as having one of the best standards of living in Spain. Pamplona is well urbanised with good road access and has some excellent historical buildings making it a pleasant tourist destination, especially in the old quarter, with it's cobbled streets. Pamplona is also the location for the world-famous Fiesta de San Ferm�n and the early morning 'Encierros' (Running of the Bulls).
Fiesta de San Fermin (6th -14th July)
The festival of San Ferm�n is a deeply rooted celebration held within the city of Pamplona. The event is known locally as Sanfermines, held in honour of Saint Fermin who is the patron saint of Pamplona and the Navarre region. It is probably the most internationally renowned festival in Spain having been central to the plot of Ernest Hemingway's book 'The Sun Also Rises'. The most famous event of the fiesta is the 'Encierro' or Running of the Bulls. Thousands of participants take their life in their hands by running in front of, alongside or preferably behind 12 or so mature bulls with sharpened horns along a half-mile stretch of cobbled streets in the old town. The event is not without risk and since 1924, 15 people have died. During the festival, the whole town is alive with party events, with celebrations spilling out from the bars and restaurants throughout the day.
The south Navarre is typically warm and arid with a landscape typical to that of Castilla & Leon. To the north though are the Pyrenees Mountains, where the weather is cooler with much greater precipitation. This has resulted in a greener landscape with vast forests and varied undergrowth that support a wide range of fauna and flora. For walking and hiking holidays, there are two large National Parks to be found here, the Parque Natural de Urbasa y And�a and the Parque Natural del Se�orio de B�rtiz.
Steve Greenwood
http://www.idealrentals4u.com/
Navarre is a cultural mix of the Basque influence from the beautiful Pyrenees Mountains and Mediterranean influences coming from the Ebro River. The Ebro valley is fertile and rich in nutrients making it amenable for growing wheat, vegetables, wine and olive trees. The river eventually leads to the Parc Natural del Delta del Ebro south of Catalonia on the Costa Blanca and offers some of the best carp and cat fishing to be found anywhere in Europe. Pamplona capital of Navarre Pamplona became the region's capital city in the 10th century and it is now home to a third of the region�s population.
Pamplona has played a central role in Navarre history having been founded by the Romans, occupied by the Moors and briefly the domination of Charlemagne. Pamplona is a prosperous and modern city with wide boulevards and spacious parks. It is also listed as having one of the best standards of living in Spain. Pamplona is well urbanised with good road access and has some excellent historical buildings making it a pleasant tourist destination, especially in the old quarter, with it's cobbled streets. Pamplona is also the location for the world-famous Fiesta de San Ferm�n and the early morning 'Encierros' (Running of the Bulls).
Fiesta de San Fermin (6th -14th July)
The festival of San Ferm�n is a deeply rooted celebration held within the city of Pamplona. The event is known locally as Sanfermines, held in honour of Saint Fermin who is the patron saint of Pamplona and the Navarre region. It is probably the most internationally renowned festival in Spain having been central to the plot of Ernest Hemingway's book 'The Sun Also Rises'. The most famous event of the fiesta is the 'Encierro' or Running of the Bulls. Thousands of participants take their life in their hands by running in front of, alongside or preferably behind 12 or so mature bulls with sharpened horns along a half-mile stretch of cobbled streets in the old town. The event is not without risk and since 1924, 15 people have died. During the festival, the whole town is alive with party events, with celebrations spilling out from the bars and restaurants throughout the day.
The south Navarre is typically warm and arid with a landscape typical to that of Castilla & Leon. To the north though are the Pyrenees Mountains, where the weather is cooler with much greater precipitation. This has resulted in a greener landscape with vast forests and varied undergrowth that support a wide range of fauna and flora. For walking and hiking holidays, there are two large National Parks to be found here, the Parque Natural de Urbasa y And�a and the Parque Natural del Se�orio de B�rtiz.
Steve Greenwood
http://www.idealrentals4u.com/
Navarre is a region in northern Spain that is bordered to the north by France, the Basque Country to the west, La Rioja to the south, and A...
Running with the Bulls in Pamplona
The famous , colourful, historic and often dangerous San Fermines fiestas get under way on the 6th July and finish at Midnight on the 14th. More than 100 Spanish communities celebrate their local patron saint, yet Pamplona�s San Fermin gets all the attention, why, because it was made famous by Ernest Hemmingway in The Sun Also Rises written in 1925
The feast comes alive with the Txupinzao , ( which includes the firing of the rockets, opening of bottles of champagne and cascades of red and white streamers fill the air. Over 1,500.000 visitors flood the area to live this unique festival , the normal population is around 200.000 so you can imagine the atmosphere that is generated in the town.
As you can imagine many locals move out during the festival to make was for thee masses and retreat to more tranquill climes for the duration. The ones that stay however shed their traditionally conservative values becoming free and spontaneous. The festival brings a spirit of happiness rather like Christmas day does for the children.
July 7 the saint�s relics are part of an emotional procession from the Iglesia de San Lorenzo to the Cathedral de Santa Maria for a solemn high Mass. Of the nine days of los Fermines, this is the only religious note. This procession attracts more and more followers each year.
The main event for most of the pilgrims that descend on Pamplona from all parts of the world is undoubtedly the running of the bulls, the famous encierro , the running of six bulls for the daily corrida / bullfight from the bullpen through city streets to the bullring. The bulls run the half-mile course in two minutes. Runners begin lining up an hour before the 8 am start, signalled by a rocket. For the runners, the experience is a pure adrenaline rush.
Gary
http://spainguides.com/
The famous , colourful, historic and often dangerous San Fermines fiestas get under way on the 6th July and finish at Midnight on the 14th. ...
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