The city of Pamplona is famous the world over for the bull runs that take place in the city streets during the Fiestas de San Fermín, known to most as the “Sanfermines”.
The Sanfermines are the fiestas in honour of Pamplona’s patron saint and they are known all over the world thanks to the writer Ernest Hemingway, who was a great enthusiast of these celebrations. The festival is held from 6 to 14 July, when bulls run along the streets packed with onlookers until they reach the bullring, where both the bulls and the runners finish their race.
The bullring was opened in 1922 and it was designed by the architect Francisco Urcola. It has seating capacity for 19,720 spectators. As well as the division of the arena into sol y sombra (sun and shade), it is also split into three levels: tendido (the lowest), grada (the middle tier, shaded by the upper tier) and the andanada (the top, covered level). You’ll also find a bust of Hemingway, along with photos of the writer during his stay in Pamplona. The entrance is worth taking a look at, as it displays the Republican crest of the city of Pamplona, which features a crown that tops the crest.
As well as being used for bullfights, Pamplona’s bull ring is also used as a venue for concerts and other performances. Both during the Fiestas de San Fermín and throughout the rest of the year, a long list of cultural events takes place in Pamplona.
If you want to visit the area and need to park, you’ll find one of our Saba public car parks on Plaza del Castillo, just a short distance away from the bull ring.
