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It is difficult to put forward a precise date for the first running of the bulls with any certainty, even though it is said that the custom already existed in Pamplona some time between 1385 and 1387. The bulls that came to the city, later for bullfights, were kept on the perimeter of the built-up area of the city – on the banks of the Arga, Sadar and Elorz rivers – before being run at full speed to the bullring.
Nevertheless, historians agree that the 16th century, when bulls ran through the streets of Pamplona, is when bull running began in the city. It seems that from time immemorial, up until 1843, a municipal employee on horseback opened the proceedings, accompanied by a second rider, who announced the animals’ presence with his bugle. Nobody came between these two people and the bulls, while shepherds and other staff urged on the beasts behind the herd.
At that time the bull running started at Santo Domingo, before arriving in the Plaza de la Fruta (Fruit Square) at the start of Mercaderes (Merchants’) Street. The route then continued along Chapitela and ended up in the Plaza del Castillo.
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Although there is no proof of this, it is probably true that nobody else was allowed to participate.
From 1853, with a new bullring being used on the site of what is now the Plaza del Vínculo, the bulls entered the city via the Portal de San Nicolás, the present day Avenida de San Ignacio. It was in 1866 that permission was sought to use the route of Rochapea, Santo Domingo, Plaza Consistorial (City Hall Square), Mercaderes and Estafeta.
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The civil governor agreed to this request but suggested less risky measures. A year later, on 1 July 1867, an edict was drawn up and published that contained fifteen precautions that should be respected, which meant the end of a period of indecision.
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Permanent Route
The bull run in Pamplona has not encountered significant opposition from the State authorities, the local community or other sources since 1876. Its route has also remained unchanged: Baluarte de Rochapea, Plaza Consistorial, Mercaderes and Estafeta. At the end of this street, the route continued to the right (Teatro Gayarre and Bar Niza) to end up in front of the main gate of the bullring. Since 1923, when the old square disappeared, runners and bulls now turn left (the Telefónica section) and go straight down to the entrance to the bullring, to the space between the inner and outer barriers.
At every stage in history people have tried to reduce the danger to runners in the spectacle. An example is the introduction of double fencing in the 1950s. This was set up on all parts of the route where there was sufficient space. More recently came the innovation of the ‘gateras’ (literally catflaps, where runners can escape) at the entrance to the bullring.
The runners, as we know them today, came in after the departure of the horseman, around 1867, whereas the standard start time for the bull run (08.00) became established in 1974. In previous years it took place at 06.00, although between 1918 and 1923 it was at 05.00. In 1924, it was run for the first time at 07.00, until the present timetable was decided on 50 years later. |
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