Saturday, June 30, 2012

Day 9, Monday

Twin Cities Day.
Pamplona is "twinned" with Bayonne (France), Yamaguchi (Japan), Paderborn (Germany) and Pamplona (Colombia)

06.45. Dianas. Town Hall Square and Bullfight Ring.

08.00 .Running of the Bulls. Third one in this years San Fermin Festival.

09.30 .Giants and Big Heads. Parade Walk out from Town Hall Square.

11.30. What a Holidays! Plaza Conde de Rodezno. Events and attractions for childrenuntil 14.00 hours.

12.00 Music Bands. Walk out. From the Avenida Carlos III, Calle Descalzos and Town Hall Square

12.00 Jotas Singing Contest. Paseo de Sarasate. Raices Navarras Performance.

12.00 Rural Sports. Fueros´ Plaza. Navarre´s Lifting Stones Championship. PopularTests of Herri Kirolak (Basque Sports) children.

13.00 .Music Bands. Plaza de la Cruz. Harmonie Bayonnaise

13.00 Euskal Musika (Basque Music). Taconera Park. Zirkus Zirika´s Performance.

17.30 .Knights Parade in Plaza, mulillas and Music Band from Town Hall Square up to the Bullfight Ring.

18.00. What a Holidays! Plaza Conde de Rodezno. Events and attractions for children until 21.00.

18.00 Music Bands Walk out, from Labrit´s Pediment.

18.30.Third Bullfight. Bullfight Arena.

19.30. Euskal Musika. Taconera Park. Erbiti Nerea performance and Iñigo Aguirre.

20.00 Verbena. Plaza de la Cruz. Edelweiss Orchestra, up to 22 hours

20.00 Master Villarejo Puppets Plaza Conde Rodezno "Gorgorito. Gorgorator"

20.00 Regional Music. The Grove. House of Castileand Leon.Añoranzas´ Group. Performance.

20.30  Fueros Young. Local Groups Performance Meaculpa and Bocanada up to 22.30.

21.00 Music from Here. Plaza del Castillo. Danceable Txistu and bagpipes.

21:00 Young Jazzfermín. Burgos Square. Carlos Quílez Trio.

21.00 Walking Around. Street show "Tam-Tam" Maduixa Theatre Company (Valencia), in Avenida Carlos III.

22.00 Bull of fire. Plaza de Santiago.

23.00 Fireworks. Ciudadela. Fourth International Competition Collection

23.30  Verbena. Plaza de la Cruz. Edelweiss Orchestra, until 01.30 am

23.30  Concert. Fueros´ Plaza. De Acero Performance (Tribute to Extremoduro)

24.00 .Verbena. Antoniutti´s Park. Origen Orchestra, until 03.00 am.

24.00. Music Band Walkout. From San Nicolas Plaza´s.

Day 8, Sunday

06.45- 07.30 Dianas. Town Hall Square and Bullfight Arena.

08.00 Running of Bulls. Miura Livestock.

09.30 Giants and Big-heads. Parade´s Departure from the bus station. Tour through out La Paz´s Plaza and the following streets: Conde Oliveto, Tudela, Zaragoza  Avenue, Leyre, Bergamin, Arrieta, Amaya and Aralar. It will continue among Aralar, Teobaldos, Olite, San Fermin, Bergamin, Avenida de Galicia, Sangüesa, San Fermin, Fueros´ Plaza and end up at the Bus Station.

11.00 Bull-Cuts Competition. € 15 adults and children under 12, 8 €. Livestock Macua-Corera.

11.30 What a Holidays! Plaza Conde de Rodezno. Events and attractions for children until 14.00 hours.

12.00 Music Bands Departure from Labrit´s Pediment and Town Hall Square.

12.00 Jotas Singing Contest. Paseo de Sarasate. Riberas voices and young jota singers Yerai Diana Rodriguez and Lainez.

12.00 Herri Kirol (Basque Sports). Fuero´s Plaza. Aizkolaris (Wood choppers) done in pairs. Navarra´s Champion ship.

12.30 Concert. Gayarre Theatre. Concert of the Pamplona´s Chamber Choir.

13.00 Music Bands. Plaza de la Cruz. Symphonic Band of the Regional House of Valencia in Navarre.

13.30 Euskal Musika (Basque Music). Taconera Park. Flaunt Txistularis.

17.30 Knigths´ Parade in Plaza, mulillas and Music Band from the Town Hall up to the Plaza de Toros.

18.00 What a Holidays! Plaza Conde de Rodezno. Events and attractions for children until 21.00.

18.00 Euskal Musika. Taconera Park. Performance of "Akikule Taldea Musika."

18.00 Music Bands Departure. Town Hall  Square

18.30 Second Bullfight. Bullfight Arena. Six bulls for the following matadors Rafaelillo Miura, Fernando and Javier Castano Robleño.

19.30 Euskal Musika. Taconera Park. Performance of "Akiakule Taldea Musika."

20.00 Verbena (Popular Dancing Place). Plaza de la Cruz. Orchestra “Group´s Connection” up to 22.00.

20.00 Master Villarejo Puppets. Plaza Conde de Rodezno. "Gorgorito at the Bottom of the Sea."

20.00.Young Fueros. Concert with local groups The Jakuza's Band and Cero a la Izquierda until 22.30.

20.00 Regional Music. The Grove. Cantabria´s House. Performance of the group La Encina, Santander.

21.00 Music from Here. Plaza del Castillo. Danceables of Txistu and bagpipes.

21.00.Walking Around. Street show "Meganimals" Maduixa Theatre Company (Valencia), in the Avenida Carlos III.

21.00 Jazzfermin. Plaza de los Burgos. Ramon Garcia´s Group.

22.00 Bull Fire fire. Plaza de Santiago.

23.00 Fireworks. Ciudadela. Third International Competition Collection for San Fermin Festival.  Hojen & Magic Pyrotechnics 2012 Fyrværkeri ApS (Denmark).

23.30 Verbena. Plaza de la Cruz. Orchestra “Group Connection” up to 01.30 am.

23.30 Concert. Fueros´ Plaza. Bongo Botrako performance.

23.30 Euskal Musika. Taconera Park. Performance of  Sonora Sonenera.

00.00 Verbena. Antoniutti ´s Park. Galleon Orchestra, until 03.00 am.

00.00 Music Bands Walkouts. From Calle Estafeta.

00.00 Jazzfermin. Burgos´s Plaza. Mastretta´s Performance

Friday, June 29, 2012

'Bullrunning trainer' is a free application that simulates a Running of the Bulls choosing certain conditions, calculating the risk of the Run and querying a database with information available since 1980. This application was launched last year and it has received over 16,000 downloads Worldwide. Most users have obtained the application from Spain, France, USA and Mexico, although there have been downloads from other countries like Japan and Saudi Arabia.
During last year´s San Fermin Festival, Apple´s Headquarter in Spain kept this foreground application in their download page as the most outstanding application available in the market. 'Bullrunning trainer' is a program targeting all kind of publics with a totally informative, instructive and entertaining purpose.

Using this application, the City Council and Kukuxumuxu intended, first, educate and inform to those interested in the Running of the Bulls Festival in Pamplona about the risks and peculiarities and, secondly, they seek to make the Running of the Bulls available in a playful way to all those who do not know or do not have the opportunity to visit Pamplona during the San Fermin Festival.

The application is available on the App Store, which is the Apple platform that distributes applications for mobile devices. The application can be installed on any iPhone or iPad and its content is available in Spanish, Basque and English.

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XXI century Pamplona

Since 2009 Pamplona has a new Sports Facility of 4,000 sqm, located in Pamplona´s Historical Area, in San Agustin Stwhich is parallel to Estafeta St.The building is divided into three parts traversed by an internal street with natural light thanks to the main cover and all the walkways connected between them as they are nine skylights made ​​of glass and aluminium.
  The facility has 5 swimming pools (1 heated, 1 acquaerobic, 1 relax or spa equipped with waterfalls, air beds, goosenecks, 1 cold water and jacuzzi), 2 special room for bodybuilding and spa area with sauna , Turkish bath, ice fountain, cyclonicshower, colour therapy and aromatherapy).

Throughout the year, are offered at affordable prices, water sports, fitness room and space for allages. Swimming, acquaerobic, steps, fitness, pilates, yoga or tai chi. To enjoy this aquatic complex you can choose to purchase a ticket for the day or a weekly, monthly or yearly subscription.

Inge Morath

"Inge Morath: San Fermin. 50s" is the title of the exhibition Constable's Palace hosts until August 24. It shows a selection of 54 photographs of the San Fermin festival of the 50´s captured by the Austrian lady, Ms. Inge Morath, the images are in black and while and collect moments during San Fermin Festival and the city´s life in the post-war period.

The material presented has sentimental value, as well as historical andeven sociological, where they intermingle scenes from the Running of the Bulls,the Giants and Big Heads Parade, Bullfighting Rituals as seeing getting dressed ready to go the Bullfight Arena to the famous torero Mr. Ordoñez as well as other kind of daily life in the city, its markets and streets.
The exhibition can be seen until August 24, from 9-14 hours and 17-21hours. During the festival of San Fermin will be open from 8, 10, 11, 12 and 13 July, and their schedule will be from 11 to 14 hours. Note that the Constable'sPalace is closed on days 6, 7, 9 and 14 July.

The first visit to Spain of  Ms. Inge Morath was in the 50's, accompanied by the publisher Mr. Robert Delpire and French writer Ms. Dominique Aubert, so they could photograph the San Fermin Festival. The work done by Morath was published in 1955 in a book entitled 'War à la Tristesse', which was published in French, English and German, but never published in Spain due to the censorship. Pamplona´s City Council paid tribute to her in 1997.

Ingebord Morath was born in the Austrian town of Graz in 1923. She moved with his family to Germany when she was young and got deeply marked by the Second World War and the terrible consequences that occurred in the country she was living. She worked as a translator and editor for Heute met Ernst Hass´s Magazine and soon afte rentered the world of photography through the influence of famous names like Robert Cappa and Henri Cartier Bresson.

For 1953, she was a renowned professional and she worked for the best graphic magazines of  her time such as Vogue and Paris Match. Her friend ship with film director John Houston leads her to get introduced into the seventh art and the'star system' of that period. She married the play wright author Mr. Arthur Miller. Inge Morath continued her work and taking pictures almost until her death in 2002. Pamplona´s City Hall named a street in her honour. www.ingemorath.org

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

The climate

Calle Estafeta
Pamplona"s climate reflects a transition from a Mediterranean to an Atlantic climate. It is temperate-cold, full of contrast and varies from year to year. In general, it is pleasant, although the thermometer can rise above 35 degrees centigrade in July and August, and fall ben eath 0 in January.
Temperature.
The average temperature in the city over the whole year is 12.4 degrees centigrade. The change from winter to spring and from summer to autumn is sudden rather than gradual.
Calle Estafeta
The average maximum temperature in August, the hottest month, is 27.1 degrees centigrade, while the average low in January, the coldest month, is 1.1.

Precipitacion.
Total precipitation in the year is 772.5 litres per square metre. It rains for a total of 132 days in the year, mainly in the winter. December is the wettest month and July and August are the driest.
Between March and November, there is an average of 39 days of frost, concentrated in December, January and February.

Calle Estafeta
Clouds and wind
The sky in Pamplona tends to be very cloudy, with an average of 300 cloud-cove
The “cierzo” (north wind) and the “bochorno” (south wind) are the winds typical to the area. Although just breezy and still days predominate, the wind can on occasions be quite gusty.

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Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Palacio de Navarre

In the heart of Pamplona, between the Plaza del Castillo and the Paseo de Sarasate, stands the Palacio de Navarre, seat of the Presidency of the Regional Government and a number of administrative offices of Navarre. The complex, designed by José de Nagusia in 1840, is a palatial building in a serious, powerful and solemn neo-Classical style that is surrounded by several columns.

Of the interior the majesty and splendour of the zona noble stands out, with the Throne Room and exuberant decoration as a symbol of power. In the office of the President of the Government of Navarre, another of the most luxurious rooms in the Palace, there are two jewels in particular: a portrait of King Ferdinand VII by Goya, and a large tapestry depicting the great battle of Navas of Tolosa (1212).

The garden contains a giant sequoia, the tallest tree in the city.

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Church of San Nicolás

The parish of San Nicolás, which dates from the 12th century, was not created just to offer religious services but, above all, to serve as a military and defensive bastion of the people who lived in the borough of the same name. These people were involved in endless disputes and skirmishes with the other two boroughs in the (Navarrería and San Saturnino). In 1222, during one of these attacks a fire burned the old Romanesque church-fortress to the ground, so it was necessary to build a new one, which was consecrated in 1231. Located in the Old Part between the Plaza de San Nicolás, calle San Miguel and the Paseo de Sarasate, its thick walls and railings, and the only one of its three watchtowers that is still standing are witness to its conflictive past. Venture inside the church, a beautiful example of Gothic, which contains a large Baroque organ, the biggest in Pamplona. On leaving the church you will find yourself in the heart of the medieval city at a crossroads of lively streets full of traditional shops and handicraft centres, a high density of bars and, in winter, warmed by the braziers of chestnut seller.

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The Camera of the Comptos

The Cámara de Comptos, built in the 13th century, is the only civil Gothic building that has survived in Pamplona. Declared a National Monument in 1868, it is an essential place to see during a stay in the city.

Located in calle Ansoleaga in the Old Quarter, it was a noble house before becoming what it continues to be today: the seat of the Cámara de Comptos, i.e. the Accounts Tribunal for the Kingdom of Navarre that initially existed between 1524 and 1836. King Carlos II created it in 1365 to improve control over the royal finances.

On the outside of the building we would highlight the pointed arch over the main entrance, the small windows (also pointed) and the coat of arms with the royal arms of Spain. A small passageway covered with a pointed barrel vault gives onto a delightful and peaceful garden with an ancient well in the centre.

It you opt for a guided tour, which takes place every morning on weekdays, you will see coins of the different monarchs of Navarre and financial consultation documents signed by the kings.

Half-moon Park

Around the city centre of Pamplona, in the Segundo Ensanche and at the southern end of the city walls, is the Parque de la Media Luna (literally, "half-moon park"), one of the oldest and most beautiful parks in the city. It owes its name to its design in the form of a waning moon.

A leafy and romantic place, the park has excellent views from its elevated position over the river Arga and the hills beyond. It has a pond with goldfish, a roller skating rink and a wide variety of tree species, including a beautiful giant sequoia. In a corner of the park there is a monument to Pablo Sarasate, the famous violinist from Pamplona.

The Citadel

Together with the Vuelta del Castillo, which surrounds it, the Citadel makes up the great green space in Pamplona, 280,000 square metres in which pavilions, moats, bastions, ravelins, fortifitions, other buildings and gentle slopes are places where the city's inhabitants can relax or enjoy sport or culture. The Citadel, the main architectural focal point in the city of Pamplona, is also considered the best example of military architecture from the Spanish Renaissance and one of the most outstanding defensive fortifications to have been designed in Europe.

The Citadel came into being to protect Pamplona from its enemies following an order by King Philip II in 1571 to start construction work in order to take a stand against the constant incursions of the French army. Its original structure took the form of a regular pentagon, with five bastions in its corners, but the construction of the "Primer Ensanche" (first extension) of the city necessitated the demolition of two of them. The remains of the fort of San Antón came to light during the construction of the Baluarte Congress Centre and Auditorium of Navarre, and were integrated into the design of the building.

Discover the imposing Ciudadela by entering it on foot by the Avenida del Ejército or Vuelta del Castillo.

Chapel of San Fermín

 San Lorenzo
If the streets of Pamplona are the main stage for the world famous San Fermín festival, the Saint's Chapel, situated inside the Church of San Lorenzo, acts as the focal point for the faithful, who meet there to celebrate religious events in honour of the city's patron saint.

The City Council attends the church in full ceremonial regalia on July 6th every year, just a few hours after the chupinazo (ceremonial rocket) that inaugurates the festivity. Vespers of the main day of the fiesta, July 7th, are celebrated with a Mass, the only day of the year when the saint's reliquary, a polychromed, silver-covered wooden sculpture from the 15th century, leaves its home in a chapel of the Church of San Lorenzo to take part in the procession through the old quarter of the city. This takes place under the devoted and emotional gaze of thousands of pamploneses, as well as visitors from all over the world. The chapel then goes back to being a major protagonist in the religious activities of the Octava (Octave, or eighth Mass) which ends the eight-day festival.

On any other day of the year it is customary for locals and visitors to meet on this spot at the end of Calle Mayor (High Street). It is also customary for many engaged couples to want to get married in front of its altar, for which it is necessary to book a date many years in advance.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Day 7, Saturday

06.45 - 07.30  Dianas. Town  Hall Square and Bullfight Ring.

08.00 - Running of Bulls. Lives tock from Mrs. Dolores Aguirre Ybarra.

09.30- Giants and Big-heads.They Parade will depart from the Town  Hall Square.
Departure from Town Hall Square and the Municipal Corporation will accompany along the       Merchants and Curia streets, to collect the SI Cathedral´slobby coming back through Curia St., Merchants St, Town Hall Square, SanSaturnino St. and Mayor St arriving to San Lorenzo´s Church, which will departure the procession of San Fermin, amongst the following streets: Taconera, San Anton, Zapateria, Calceteros , Town Hall Square, San Saturnino´s and Mayor Streets.
The Giants and Big-heads Parade will take a rest in Mayor Street during the celebration of the Eucharist. After the religious ceremony they will accompany the City Council and Municipal Corporation through out the following streets: Mayor Street, San Saturnino, Town Hall Square, Merchants and Curia streets up to the Cathedral, in which atrium the Parade will dance to see out the Ecclesiastical Authorities. The return of the Municipal Corporation to the Town Hall Square will take place through the streets Curia and Mercaderes. Then the Parade will go to their site through the streets, Chapitela, Plaza del Castillo, San Ignacio Avenue, Estella Street, Tudela, Conde Oliveto, Peace Square (Plaza de la Paz) and end up in the Bus Station.

10.00 - San Fermin Procession.

11.30 - What a Holidays! Conde  de Rodezno Square. Events and attractions for children until 14.00 hours.

12.00 Departure of Music Bands. Labrit´s Pediment and Descalzos (Barefoot)

12.30 Regional Music. Concert by "Trasteando!  “Tinkering" (Alsasua).

13.00 - Basque Music. Taconera´s Park. Txistularis (basque flaut) Navarra´s Association.

13.30 - Regional Music. The Grove. Concert by "Trasteando!. “Tinkering"(Alsasua).

17.30 - Knights´ Parade in the Plaza, from Town Hall Square up to the Bullfight Ring.

18.00 - What a Holidays!. Events and attractions for children until 21.00h.

18.00 - Jotas (Navarra´s regional dance) "Round". From Town Hall´s Square.

18.30 - First Bullfigth of the Festival.  Bullfight Ring. Livestock of Mrs. Dolores Aguirre Ybarra. Matadors: Antonio Ferrera, Eduardo Gallo and Joselillo.

20.00 - Verbena (Dancing Meeting Event). Plaza de la Cruz. "YataganOrchestra" until 22.00.

20:00 - Villarejo Master Puppets Show.Conde de Rodezno Plaza."Gorgorito, the Puss in Boots and Princess Rosalinda."

20.00 - Regional Music. The Grove. House of Aragon. Aragon´s Jota Performance.

20:30 - Young Fueros. Fueros´  Square.Concert with local groups "La RanaToro (Bull Frog)" and "Kerasy" until 22.30.

21.00 - Music from Here. Plaza del Castillo. Txistu and Bagpipes danceables.

21:00 - Walking around. Street show made by "Skualo" Ziga Zaga´sCompany (Barcelona), along the Carlos III Avenue.

21:00 - Young Jazzfermín. Plaza de los Burgos. "Yerri Jazz Band".

22.00 - Bull fire. Plaza de Santiago.

23.00 - Fireworks. Ciudadela Park. Second Collection of the Sanfermines 2012 International Competition. Height Pyrotechnics (Castellón).

23.30 - Fueros´ Direct. Fueros´  Square. Performance by "Boikot” “Switchfoot"

23.30 - Verbena. Plaza de la Cruz. "Yatagan Orchestra", until 1.30 am.

00.00 - Verbena. Antoniuti´s Park. "Malassia Orchestra", unti l3.00 am.

00.00 - Concert. Plaza del Castillo. "Social Security".

00.00 - Euskal Music (Basque Music). Taconera´s Park.

00.00 - Music Band Departure. Town  Hall´s Square.

00.00 - Jazzfermin. Burgos´ Square.“Blues Band” Performance.

Population Pamplona


The number of in habitants has risen from 307,669 in 1900 to 605.876 in 2007 and the density has grown from 29 inhabitants per square kilometre to 55. The population growth in Navarre has been below the Spanish average and density continues to be low.
The growth of district administrative centres, and especially of Pamplona and its metropolitan areas, has evolved at the expense of draining population from areas in which small rural hamlets prevail.
The Valles Pirenaicos, Tierra Estella and Navarre Media Oriental have been losing inhabitants since the beginning of the 20th century; this also applies, albeit to a more moderate extent, to the Navarre Húmeda, and growth has only been recorded in both Riberas and in the Pamplona basin, which concentrates the majority of the population of Navarre.
In terms of municipalities, 42.3% of the population of Navarre live in cities of more than 20,000 inhabitants, namely Pamplona, Tudela and Barañain, 39.2% in towns of between 2,000 and 20,000 inhabitants and 18.5% live in villages of fewer than 2,000 people.

In recent years, as has occurred in Spain as a whole, Navarre has become a receiving region for a migrant population. In total, it is estimated that nearly 20,000 people have arrived from developing countries. The greater part of this migrant influx has settled in the district of Pamplona and the remainder is distributed throughout Navarre, although to a greater extent in the southern third of the community.


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Navarre, Geography


Navarre, the Comunidad Foral de Navarra, is situated in the North of Spain, at the western end of the Pyrenees, where it shares a 163-kilometre stretch of frontier with France. It has a land area of 10,421 km2 and is bordered, to the east, by Aragon – its provinces of Huesca and Zaragoza – to the south by Aragon and La Rioja, and to the northwest by the Basque Autonomous Community – Alava and Guipuzcoa -.

The vast range of terrains, climates and peoples in Navarre is traditionally grouped into three regions arranged from North to South: the Mountains (Montaña), the Middle Area (Zona Media) and the Ribera, on the banks of the Ebro River. Yet as this division is insufficient to cater for all the existing variations, these three divisions are, in turn, divided into districts (comarcas).

Accordingly, the Mountains consist of the humid Navarre Húmeda, the valleys of the Valles Pirenaicos and the river basins of the Cuencas Prepirenaicas; the Middle Area around Estella is called Tierra Estella and the eastern part is Navarre Media Oriental; finally, the lands of the South, close to the Ebro, are divided into the Ribera Estellesa and Ribera Tudela.   


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The museum of Navarre

The founding collections of the Museum of Navarre lie in the cultural assets assembled by the Commission of Historical and Artistic Monuments of the Ancient Kingdom of Navarre, institution founded in 1844, with the aim of safeguarding the Navarrese cultural heritage.
In 1910, a first Museum opened to the public in the current headquarters of the Regional Audit Office (Cámara de Comptos) with the objective of being a beacon of popular enlightenment. Years later, this mission would be continued by the Institution Prince of Viana (Institución Príncipe de Viana) created in 1940 by the Provincial Council of Navarre (Diputación Foral de Navarra) in order to protect, restore and research the artistic and archaeological heritage of Navarre.
Since 1956, the Museum of Navarre has been housed in the former Hospital of Our Lady of Mercy, which stands just within the walls on the north-western edge of the old town which lies surrounded by ramparts on a steep hill rising above the valley of the river Arga. Except for the sixteenth century façade and church, it has preserved next to nothing of the original building. In 1990, following a major refurbishment, the museum was reinaugurated by HM Queen Sofía.
In 2011, the Prehistory display gallery reopened to visitors with a new permanent exhibition room after a process of elimination of architectural barriers, updating of contents as a result of the archaeological findings of the last twenty years and renovation of its museographic .

    
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The city walls

The five-kilometre walls around the city create an unusual and evocative stroll around its history. The city walls of Pamplona are one of the most interesting and best preserved military structures in Spain and hold the status of National Monument.

As a medieval city, Pamplona surrounded itself with walls to defend itself against invaders, although it was not until the incorporation of the Kingdom of Navarre into the Crown of Castile in 1515 that its strategic location turned it into an advanced post of the Spanish crown against France.

The development of the great and formidable fortress began at that time and has its high point in the Citadel. Bastions gates, half-moons, ravelins, forts... all give the walled enclosure the sobriety and sophistication of this kind of defensive system.

Pamplona's urban development in the 20th century meant that some sections had to be demolished so that the modern city could expand. Its essence remains, however.

A walk along the path around the walls, which runs between the Media Luna and Taconera parks, combines the coldness and silence of the stones with the warm and welcoming green landscape in the background. The best way to start is by visiting the Interpretation Centre of the Fortifications  of Pamplona. Located at the end of the Media Luna park, it is an excellent place to understand the construction, evolution and life of the walls.
Fuente Turismo de Navarra
Taconera

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St Mary's Cathedral

Situated on the edge of the Casco Viejo (Old Quarter) of Pamplona, in the same site that the old Roman city of Pompaelo once stood, is Pamplona Cathedral, a fine example of the Gothic period (14th and 15th centuries). This symbolic monument houses the largest number of historic and artistic relics in the city. Kings were crowned and Parliaments convened in the cathedral; indeed, it was the seat of the royal court for three centuries.

The sobriety of its neoclassical façade, a work by Ventura Rodríguez, contrasts with the Gothic interior, where the 28-metre-high central nave is home to the fine tomb of Carlos III of Navarre and his wife, Eleanor of Castile. However, the real jewel of this cathedral is its cloister, considered among the most beautiful in the Gothic world, a must-see on every visitor's itinerary.
Fuente Turismo de Navarra 
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The City Hall

.
The City Hall is in the heart of the Old Quarter of the city, and its site is not a coincidence. In 1423 King Carlos III ("el Noble") of Navarre enacted a law called "El Privilegio de la Unión" (Privilege of the Union) to put an end to centuries of bickering and confrontations between the three boroughs and located the building on the spot where the three boroughs that existed at the time (Navarrería, San Saturnino and San Nicolás) came together.

The building has been renovated on a few occasions, the last in the middle of the 18th century, but none of the changes have affected its beautiful and colorist façade, where the Baroque and neoclassical styles merge. 

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Sunday, June 24, 2012

Other running of the bulls in Navarre

Tafalla
In Navarre, in addition to the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, ​​they are organized other Running of the Bulls in several locations. Some ofthe most famous ones are in Tafalla, 30 km away from Pamplona and in Tudela, 90 km awat. Those experienced runners that love to get the adrenaline from Running with the Bulls in Pamplona they often turn to these Running of the Bulls that take place after San Fermin. Tudela´s festivities are celebrated from 24 to 30 July and Tafalla ones from 14 to 20 August. These experience runners feel the Running is better in these locations as the number of runners is lowe.

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Day 6, Friday

12.00 El Txupinazo. Town Hall. Live broadcast on giant screens in Antoniutti´s Park, Sarasate´sWalk , Carlos III Walk, Castillo´s Plaza and Fueros´ Plaza.

12.00 Music Bands Departure touring along Town  Hall´s Square and to Paseo Sarasate.

13.30 Folk Festival. Fueros´ Plaza.  Following groups performance Amaiur,Ardantzeta, Duguna, Elordi, Harizti, Iruña taldea, Larratz, Mikelats, MuthikoAlaiak, Oberena, Ortzadar and Txori Zuri, who will perform dances  from Lesaka,Bateleras, Jautsi and La era-Larraindantza.

16.30 Giants and Big-heads. Parade Departure from the bus station. The Parade will start its journey from the Bus Station, on the Paz´s Plaza, Yanguas y Miranda, Garcia Ximenez Garcia Castanon, Paseo Sarasate, Comedias, Pozoblanco, Zapatería and Town Hall Square. This Parade will accompany the Municipal Corporation on its way to Vespers among the San Saturnino and Mayor streets, arriving at the San Lorenzo´s Church for the event that will be held at 20.00 hours. After the event, they will return along Mayor´s and San Saturnino streets up to the Town Hall, where it will terminate its route.

17.30 Riau-Riau. Town Hall Square.The City Hall cortage, preceded by his retinue of mace-bearers, bugles and drums,Pamplona´s Band Music and Giants and Big Heads Parade with flutes and txistus will transfer from San Fermin Chapel where the official vespers song will take place.

18.00 What a Holidays! Plaza Conde de Rodezno. Events and attractions for children until 21h

18:30 Pipers Alarde (basque word). From Zacatín St.to the Segundo EnsancheMarket.

18.30 Rejones Bullfight. Bullfight Ring.Plaza deToros. San Mateo´s livestock for rejoneadores (Matadors riding a horse) PABLO HERMOSO DE MENDOZA, SERGIO GALAN AND ROBERTO ARMENDÁRIZ.

20.00 Solemn Vespers of San Fermin. San Fermin´s Chapel (San Lorenzo´s Church). Vespers sung by the Music Chapel on Pamplona´s Cathedral and Navarra Symphony Orchestra, who play "Great Vespers of San Fermin" by M. Garcia and others song all directed by the Chapel´s Master.

20.00 Regional Music. The Grove. Valencia´s County. Valencia´s Regional House inNavarra will perform with their Symphonic Band.

20:30. Fueros´s Square. Concert with localgroups Marvin and Barua up to 22.30.

20.30 Regional Music. The Grove. Valencia:performance of the Symphony Orchestra of the Valencian Community House in Navarre.

21.00 Local Music. Plaza del Castillo. Txistu´s Dances (small local flaut) and Bagpipes.

21.00 Walking along. "Medieval Parade" Show in the street by The Puppeteers of Binefar (Huesca), in the Avd de Carlos III

22.00 Fire Bull. Plaza de Santiago. Will travel along Merchants and Chapitela St.

23.00 Fireworks. Ciudadela Park. First show of the International Competition Sanfermines 2012. Pyrotechnics: Focs d'artifici Europlá (Valencia).

23.30 Fuero´s Direct. Fuero´s Square. Macaco Music Group Concert

23.30 Verbena. Plaza de la Cruz.Verbena. Plaza de la Cruz. Equus Orchestra until 01.30 am.

00.00 Verbena. Antoniutti´s Park. Pasito Orchestra Show, until 03.00 am.

00.00 Music Bands.Town Hall Square.

00.00 Concert. Plaza del Castillo. Guaraná Music Group.
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Friday, June 22, 2012

Glossary of San Fermin´s Terms -9-

28. Peñas.
They are a group of friends gathered together during all theSan Fermin Festival. Kind of “extended family”. Some people consider them to be the soul of the party. Each peña has its very own flag and an them. Its premises are meeting places, not only for those belong ing to them, but to anyone who want´s to have a good time there. They often are accompanied by a brass band.

29. Barracks: 
Is the funfair installed in the city during the San Fermin Festival and is visited several times by children and adults. Formerly it was set up on the esplanade behind the new Bus Station in Pamplona.  Nowadays is installed in Rochapea.This year the big attraction will be the tallest Treadmill in Europe.


30. Bull of fire:
 Artifact in the form of a bull, driven manually by a person and dropps fire and firecrackers while is running and teasing people. Starts from Santiago´s Plazaand the children love to run in front of it.

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Glossary of San Fermin´s Terms -8-

23.Poor me!:
This is the sad scream that is heard at midnight on July 14 at the Consistorial Plaza. It means that the festival of San Fermin has finished.

24. Iruña:
The name given to Pamplona in Euskera (Basque Language).

25. Jota:
On the 7th of July this is one of the little moments when a jota is sung by two girls in chorus to San Fermin Saint. This happens in the morning at 11.00 am. During the San Fermin Procession there is a stand still in the Council´s Plaza and that is when hundreds of people coming from Navarra´s County and those living in Pamplona are in total silence to hear the song, successfully performed, by the Santiago de Chantrea´s Choir. This ritual is a tradition since 1975.

26. 'Kalimotxo':
Is par excellence the main San Fermin´s drink, mainly among young people and is a mixing of red wine with Coke. Typically it's served in a 'Katxi', which is a larg plastic glass.

27. Naranjito
(This name was given to the Spanish Mascot during the World Cup 1982): These are people,  usually young, who are dressed in orange overalls and based in the key areas along Pamplona during the San Fermin Festival and their function is to guide visitors and provide information.
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Glossary of San Fermin´s Terms -6-

14. Shepherds:
Along the Running of the Bulls, 10 shepherds complete therunning itinerary behind the herd carrying a long cane made of ash or hazel. They whip up the bulls as they help determining the rhythm whilst they make sure that nobody distracts them on their way to the Bullfight Ring. Besides the cattle control they are controlling the runner too and they are the highest authority within the course.

15. Heifers:
Small brave cows that are released into the Bull Ring once the bulls are inside the arena and are guided up to the bullpen. The same rules apply to the heifers, it is forbidden to touch them, tease them or grab them by the tail.

16. Reveille:
 Musical sounds played by pipe bands and the cities music band, whose primary purpose was and is, to awaken the public and announce that a new day is ready for celebration.

17. Procession:
 The July 7, at 10 am, a Procession will part of San Fermín Saint to San Lorenzo´s parish. The tour is full of people who want to see the saint and the accompanying the retinue.

18. San Lorenzo Parish:
It houses the baroque chapel dedicated to San Fermin and was built in 1717. It keeps the statue of the saint, dated sixteenth century, silver-plated and placed on a pedestal carved in silver. The temple also contains the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows, dated 1883.


IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO RENT A SPOT FROM A PRIVILEGED BALCONY, RIGHT IN THE DEAD MAN CORNER, TO WATCH THE RUNNING OF THE BULLS IN SAN FERMIN FESTIVAL, LOG IN THIS LINK AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED!

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Thursday, June 21, 2012

Glossary of San Fermin´s Terms. 5

10. Stacks:
1957
Named after the collapse that produces the crush of people in the Running of the Bulls itinerary, especially at the entrance to the Bullfight Arena. Pose a real danger as bulls will cross it as they please among this human pile. There are 24 registered historic human piles with 700 people injured and 15 of them gored. The first time this happened goes back to 1878.

11. “Tail” Meek (popular name Broom Meek):
They are castrated bulls and a different species of the wild bulls that run on the daily Running of the Bulls. They are trained and know the itinerary perfectly well and their mission, not always possible I´m afraid, is to maintain all the herd packed.

 12. Halters broom.
Tame cattle released into the enclosure after the departure of bulls and aims to guide potential sires that have fallen behind on the course.

13. Dobladores (kind of matador helpers):
This figure emerged in SanFermin Festival as a basic need. These people are placed in the Bullring and with the help of their mulch or cape will at their arrival to the Bullfight and lead them to the corrals where they will stay all day until the Bullfight takes place.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO RENT A SPOT FROM A PRIVILEGED BALCONY, RIGHT IN THE DEAD MAN CORNER, TO WATCH THE RUNNING OF THE BULLS IN SAN FERMIN FESTIVAL, LOG IN THIS LINK AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED!


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Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Running and the Bulls 2012

We finally got the Bulls breed that will run this year every single day on the Running of the Bulls and willfight in the afternoon against the Matador in the Bullfight Arena.

07th July. Dolores Aguirre 
08th July. Miura
09th July. Cebada Gago
10th July. El Pilar
11th July. Fuente Ymbro
12the July. Vitoriano
13th July. Domeq
14th July. Torrehandilla

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"The ladder"


In Pamplona is a custom among many groups of friends, to organise a dinner on the following dates January 1st, February 2nd, March 3rd, April 4th, May 5th, June 6th and finally, the very last one on July7th.
These dinners are called "The Ladder", as the first step begins the first day of the year and the 7th and last step is in the 7th July when San Fermin Festival will start with the Running of the Bulls as the 6th of July is the Chupinazo or Opening Ceremony.

At this moment we are counting down as in less than 20 days we will reach the last step, which is the last and more important one.  Some of these groups of friends, only the most devoted, they organize a mass each day of “The Ladder”. This mass will beheld in San Lorenzo´s Church as there is where the image of San Fermin is located.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO RENT A SPOT FROM A PRIVILEGED BALCONY, RIGHT IN THE DEAD MAN CORNER, TO WATCH THE RUNNING OF THE BULLS IN SAN FERMIN FESTIVAL, LOG IN THIS LINK AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED!


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Tuesday, June 19, 2012

The Running of the Bulls

The Running of the Bullsis a unique experience for all the people gathered on the itinerary and specially for those who are going to run in front of the Bulls. It's a show that is defined by the willing risk and the physical abilities.
 The inexperienced runner must be informed of the dangerous characteristics of this race and the necessary protective measures to be taken for their safety and those who are at their side. Most of the times, from the balcony, we could see that recklessness havecaused serious injuries.
The Running of the Bulls isnot for everyone. Requires serenity, excellent awareness and strong physical preparation. Those not meeting these requirements should not participate in the race. The risk is serious.
Runners must be at the section between the Town Hall  Square (were the Chupinazo takes place) and the Education Building on the Cuesta de Santo Domingo.They must do so before 7.30 am, because after that time the doors will be closed. The rest of the itinerary will remain completely free of runners so anyone is allowed to be there and if the police see anyone they will ask them to leave the street. Few minutes before 8 am all the runners will decide where they want to run and how would they like to experience this risky but unique experience. www.sanferminbalconies

The two herds of Halters(Castrated Bulls)

The six bulls that will be fighting against the matador on the daily’s San Fermin Bullfight are the same that will be making possible the daily Running of the Bulls. They will start the run followed by a first bunch of Halters as those are familiar with the itinerary and will be guiding them up to the Bullfight Plaza. Two minutes after they will release a second herd of castrated bulls and those are called the “Tail Halters”, they are smaller than the previous ones and run slower as their mission is to drag into the arena any main bulls that have been left behind in the itinerary.
The Halters also called castrated bulls are distinguished not only by their morphology but because they wear abell around the neck.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO RENT A SPOT FROM A PRIVILEGED BALCONY, RIGHT IN THE DEAD MAN CORNER, TO WATCH THE RUNNING OF THE BULLS IN SAN FERMIN FESTIVAL, LOG IN THIS LINK AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED!


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Thank you so much!

Since 1998, GS Incoming has been working the San Fermin Festival (hotel booking, VIP Balconies, bullfights, specialized guides, etc). This year we plan to incorporate a blog - actually two, one in Englis hand the other in Spanish). Our first post was in December 2011 and we have been gradually progressing. Our purpose is to provide fresh and local information to our VIP customers during the San Fermin Festival in Pamplona. We will try to improve the blog notonly with our expertise but with all your experiences and suggestions as they are very valuable to us. We deliver a good service but we are sure with your feedback we can make it better.
Yesterday we were reviewing the visits to the blog andwe got a great joy to see the diversity of
countries who have visited =

United States, France, Belgium, Portugal, Ireland, Singapore, Honkong, India, Russia, Sweden, Netherlands, Denmark, Canada, United Kindong, Italy, Ukraine, Latvia, Estonia, Croatia, Germany, India, Japan, Australia, Philippines, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Argentina and Spain
THANK YOU ALL!    
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Monday, June 18, 2012

Tragic List History forthe Running of the Bulls

Throughout the history ofthe Running of the Bulls in Pamplona16 people have died

July 10, 2009, a young man aged 22 from Madrid
July 8, 2003, a man aged 63 from Pamplona
July 13, 1995, a young man aged 22 from Illinois. United States of America.
July 13, 1980, a young man aged 26 from Navarre
July 13, 1980, a young man aged 29 from Navarre
July 8, 1977 a young man aged 17 from Pamplona
July 9, 1975 a young man aged 41 from Navarre
July 12, 1974 a young man aged 18 from Pamplona
July 12, 1969 a man aged 42 from Navarre
 July 9, 1961 a young man aged 32 from Pamplona
July 10, 1947 a man from Pamplona
July 10, 1947 a man from Navarre
July 10, 1935 a young man aged 29 from Mexico
July 8, 1927 a young man aged 34 from Pamplona
July 13, 1924 a young man aged 22 from Navarre
July 7, 1910 a young man aged 21 from Navarre

On July 13t 1924, Hemingway witnessed the deadly toss of the young runner Esteban Stephen that he reflected in his novel "The Sun Also Rises".

This post is IN MEMORIAL FOR ALL OF THEM

Sunday, June 17, 2012

San Fermin Festival Agenda

Pamplona's Mayor, Mr. Enrique Maya, and the counsellor responsible for Education and Culture, Mr. Fermin Alonso, have presented at the press  conference this year´s San Fermin Festival agenda. There will be 431 events, of which 305 are Music Concerts and events, 77 Children's Activities, 33 Bulls Programs,8 Official Institutions and another 8 more as Sports Activities.´
The City Council wil lpublish 20,000 programs with these events and 5,000 posters, they will print 63,000 unfolding pocket size programs in Spanish, Basque, English, French and German. They will maintain last year´s prices so the poster will cost one euro and the mentioned program two euros.

They can be purchased at the Navarra´s Government InformationOffice and in all the bookstores around the city. According to the Mayor, this year´s program is "High Quality" with an wide range of events for all kind of people and ages.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Waste Containers during San Fermín

Before San Fermín will start, the city council´s workers will remove the "mailboxes" for waste collection that are among the Running of the Bulls itinerary and they will reinstalled the pavers in the hollows occupied by these mailboxes. The old mobile containers will re-occupy their old location but only during San Fermin.
The vacuum waste collection on Pamplona´s Old Town  Pamplona has been functioning over a year now. This system allows the collection and transfer of househ old waste from the boxes installed in the street directly toa treatment plant through underground tunnels. Below each mailbox there arevertical some pipes which are provided with a system of valves used for emptying the container, so that the bags with all the residues are conducted by propelling air currents of up to 90 kilometres per hour through underground canal sup to the main head quarter plant which is 1.5 kms away from Pamplona. 

Currently there are 110 boxes scattered around the OldTown, 10 of them are situated in Estafeta St. With the retirement of old containers they have managed to create more space fo rpedestrian traffic, it has minimized the odour problems and removed the noise and pollution from the collection trucks as they no longer circulate in the area.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO RENT A SPOT FROM A PRIVILEGED BALCONY, RIGHT IN THE DEAD MAN CORNER, TO WATCH THE RUNNING OF THE BULLS IN SAN FERMIN FESTIVAL, LOG IN THIS LINK AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED!

Friday, June 15, 2012

Running and the Bulls

Pamplona´s City Councilis conducting a campaign among Australian, British and New Zealand’sTour Operators in order to prevent the jumping from the Navarrería´s Fountain during the San Fermin Festival.The Council has informed that the will not only repeat the campaign to sensitize about the traditional running on the bulls wearing white clothes or civic behaviours, but maintaining the banof entering any kind of glass (bottles mainly) in the Consistorial Plaza during the Chupinazo. (6th of July)
For the new campaign posters have been published which read 'NO. Donot do it ', inviting not to jump from the Navarrería Fountain. The text is only written in English, since this practice has become common in recent years among some visitors, mainly from Australia, Britain and New Zealand.
In addition the City Hallen courages the runners to wear white clothing in respect to the tradition and as a sign of running in a responsible, safe and correct manner. Among all the usual advices, one of them is to comply the security measures during theRunning of the Bulls which some of them are not touch or mention the bullsnames, get up in case you fall down until the entire herd has pass you by and wear correct and appropriate clothing and footwear.


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Thursday, June 14, 2012

Women and the Running of the Bulls

Historically, women hav ealways found it difficult to run with the bulls. Since the 1st of July 1867 an edict was issued that specified fifteen rules for the enclosure (encierro).One was the ban on the elderly, children and women to be on the itinerary. In1974 it was repealed the section precluding the participation of women in bullfightings. However, the Pamplona´s municipal authority continued to preventthe presence of women in the Running of the Bulls and it was in themid-eighties when the presence of women in the Running of the Bulls was not sofrowned upon, so that little by little, the women started running.
The reality is that very few women run in the daily Running of the Bulls. I'm from Pamplona and I don´t know any woman that has run. Last year from the balcony we watched a group of young boys trying to persuade two girls, one of them was too drunk and her body wasn´t in very goodshape. In that case, being a man or a woman is not the issue. The most important thing is that you must be in very good physical condition, to know the route and plan which part you are going to run. Think it twice and consciously.

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