In Bull Runner's BlogNo one has to fear the Toro de Fuego, but many kids, and some adults, do. The first Fire Bull was mentioned in the Bull Chronicles of the 17th century – when a real bull carried fireworks on its back. Given the obvious risks involved in that scenario, today, we get a much tamer scenario: the Hombre de Fuego (fire dude) dons a pretty cool bull costume with a fair amount of gunpowder strapped to his back. Interestingly enough, the purpose of this tamer version is to give children a chance to have a bull run of their own. Same as in the morning bull run, a rocket announces that the bull is on the street, but in this case,…
In Bull Runner's BlogWho are these Pamploneses and what are they celebrating? Navarra is a proud region, with a rich history dating back to the founding of Pamplona in 74 A.D. While we are a semi-autonomous region of Spain, the Kingdom of Navarra still enjoys its own laws, its own police force, and its own strong ideals. Having survived centuries of political and religious upheaval, one can imagine that the institutions and traditions of Navarra are well established. The Running of the Bulls and the San Fermin Festival represent some of the most celebrated and respected traditions in Navarra. The story begins in the 3rd century, when Firmo, an important Roman Senator in Pamplona, was converted to Christianity. His son, Fermín, was baptized…
In Bull Runner's BlogJuly 6th is one of the most unique experiences at the Running of the Bulls – even though the bulls aren’t running yet, there’s still a spectacle in-store. This is the day of the Chupinazo (Txupinazo in Basque) – the Opening Ceremonies that kick off the San Fermín Festival at Noon. If you want to really be able enjoy this day, we recommend you arrive in Pamplona on July 5th, giving you the opportunity to discover authentic Pamplona. You’ll feel the anticipation building in the atmosphere on this day before the big day. You can smell the excitement, and see the changes as this calm city is converted into a huge party town. July 6th is the happiest day of…
In Bull Runner's BlogWhether you've just run with the bulls or watched from a Pamplona balcony, you have not only just taken part in a long-running tradition unlike anything else in the world but you have no doubt also worked up a quite an appetite. Here's what you do next: Don't miss the chocolate con churros served at many places on Estafeta street! We guarantee you'll be dreaming about these when you return home. If you don't know what they are, just trust us and order one, or two, or three, or four - you won't be disappointed. You'll also want to pair your churros with a coffee: Cafe Solo (very good normal coffee), Cafe con Leche (with milk, kinda like a latte),…
In Bull Runner's BlogInsider tips on how to run with the bulls Before sharing our tips on how to participate in the Running of the Bulls®, it’s helpful to have a basic understanding of the history behind this centuries-old tradition. Running with bulls, while not for the faint of heart, was originally born out of a necessity to move the animals from outside Pamplona’s city center to the bullring in town -- something that’s been done since the 13th century. The San Fermin Festival has been held every July since 1592 and the morning bull runs are one of the most highly anticipated events. However, it is not completely clear when citizens began running in front of the bulls rather than behind them. Some records,…
