Page 160 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

158  nor thern sp ain region b y region

San Fermín

this fiesta in honour of navarra’s patron saint, A statue of
st Fermín (the first bishop of pamplona), is St Fermín, Navarra’s
patron saint, is carried
famous for the encierro – a bull run through from the town hall
the old town of pamplona. starting at the to the cathedral in
ceremonial procession
plaza de santo Domingo and ending at the on 7 July.
bullring, the 840-m (half-mile) bull run occurs
daily from 7 to 14 July. however, san Fermín is
not just about bulls – this hugely popular fiesta
includes parades with orchestras, official state
and religious ceremonies, and street dancing Fighting bulls are bred
and singing. there is also a lot of drinking and at special ranches and
must weigh 460-500 kg
good, spontaneous fun. (1,014–1,102 lbs) before
entering the corrida.

The encierro, which lasts around four minutes,
ends at the Plaza de Toros, where corridas are held
in the evenings. Although running in front of
enraged bulls is dangerous, this does not deter
the local young men, keen to display their courage.

Streets and squares filled with colourful, joyous
crowds epitomize the fiesta in Pamplona. The
various events, especially the hair-raising bull
runs, are attended by thousands of onlookers.
Bullfights (Corridas)
The sand in the bullring must The corrida begins with a
be clean and even so that
nothing on its surface parade set to the spirited music
distracts the bull. of the pasodoble. In the first
stage of the bullfight, the
mounted picadores goad the
bull with their steel-pointed
Encierro participants must be lances; in the second,
physically fit, with good reflexes. the banderilleros provoke the
Most are dressed in a white shirt wounded bull by sticking pairs
and trousers (some wear jeans of darts in its back; in the third
instead), with a red belt and scarf, stage, the matador is left to
and a matching beret. fight the bull alone.

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