Pamplona’s Struendo
Experience the thrills of a lifetime at Pamplona’s annual San Fermin Festival and discover the rich history and traditions that make this 9-day extravaganza a bucket-list item for more than a million visitors. There are many spectacular single day events that make up the World’s Largest Fiesta™ — some better known than others. El Estruendo may not be on the official San Fermin Program, but this deafening tradition is an integral part of Pamplona’s beloved SanFermines fiesta. “Estruendo” means “noise” or “racket” in Spanish, but this annual tradition is more like an ear-piercing roar!
Estruendo San Fermin
The Struendo begins at precisely 11:59 PM, as crowds gather at Casa Marceliano, just outside of Pamplona City Hall. There is no fixed date for the event, but it always takes place on a weekday, generally a few days after the Opening Ceremony. People of all ages and nationalities come together to storm the streets playing any instrument they can find, be it drums, cymbals, whistles, pots or pans. Before parading through the town making a booming commotion, everyone sings a hearty rendition of “Agur Jaunak,” a traditional Basque song.
The parade wends through the cobbled streets of Pamplona for several hours, as people play and bang their instruments loudly. Of course, there are periodic pit stops for libations along the way to keep the party lively. The Struendo finishes in the early morning hours at the small well of San Saturnino, providing just enough time for some shut-eye before the morning bull runs begin.
Legend has it that El Estruendo got its start more than 50 years ago, when a group of friends decided that a noise-making parade was a great way to enliven the fiesta even more.
Read more about notable San Fermin Festival events like Riau Riau, Pobre de Mi and others from The Running of the Bulls®, your expert travel partner in Pamplona.