Introduction
Pamplona (Basque: Iruñea) is the capital of Navarre and has about 200,000 inhabitants, the metropolitan area well over 300,000. The city is located in the middle of Navarre in a rounded valley that connects the mountains of the North with the Ebro valley. The city started as a Roman camp for the Roman general Pompey from 75 to 74 BC. Until the 11th century the city was more like a fortress changing hands between different Christian rulers, Basque leader and the Moors. After this period the city started to grow but it remained within the city walls. That means people built up instead of out, which made for some great architecture.
It wasn't until 1915, because World War I showed that Pamplona's fortifications were out of date, that the army allowed destruction of the southern wall and ended the construction ban. This allowed people to build in the country side outside the walls. In the 2nd half of the 20th century the city exploded and became a center for modernization. Although political life is a bit hostile because of the Basque Nationalist's view Pamplona as the historic capital of Basque Country.
Neighbourhoods
Because of the inability to grow outside the city walls Pamplona has an amazing old city. The old city is very easy to find and is a great place to roam around. In the last 50 years there has been massive growth into new neighborhoods, which look like any other modern city.
Sights and Activities
Churches
- Saint Sernin is a 13th century gothic church.
- Saint Nicholas is a 13th century gothic church.
- Saint Dominic is a 16th century gothic church.
- Saint Augustine is a 16th century gothic church.
- Saint Ignatius of Loyola Basilica.
Other Sights and Activities
- Parks - Explore the many wonderful parks in the city.
Events and Festivals
Running of the Bulls
The running of the bulls is the highest profile even of the Saint Fermin Festival. The course is about 825 metres long and goes through 4 narrow streets in the old city center. The only requirements for entering is being over eighteen, choosing a street to run in and starting to run at the right time. Before the run starts people pray to Saint Fermin to protect them and dress in a white shirt and pants with a red waistband and neckerchief. It is also common to run with a rolled day's newspaper to distract the bull's if necessary. The fastest part of the run is up to Santo Domingo and across the Town Hall Square. The event is not without danger. Around 200 to 300 persons are injured every year and since 1910, 15 people were killed in the running. The last person killed was in 2009.
Running of the Nudes
Since 2002 a few days before the Running of the Bulls, the Running of the Nudes is staged as a protest to bullfighting. It started with a couple of streakers in 2002, but quickly grew into a annual event with hundreds of participants. The running of the nudes is backed by a couple of animal rights groups, including PETA.
Weather
Getting There
By Plane
Pamplona Airport (PNA) is a small airport outside the city. There are regular flights every day operated by Iberia and TAP Portugal to Barcelona, Madrid and Lisbon.
By Train
RENFE, the Spanish Railway Company, has trains to Pamplona to several cities, including Madrid and Zaragoza.
By Car
By Bus
By Boat
Eat
Drink
Sleep
Budget
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gestion de Alojamientos | Travesia Acella 1 | Apartment | 80 |
| Hostal Acella | Travesia de acella 3 Bajo | Guesthouse | - |
| Hostel Hemingway | Amaya-Las Encajeras 26 | Hostel | 89 |
| Hotel La Buhardilla | Avda.Serapio Huici 15 Villava | Hotel | 83 |
| Husa Avenida | Avda. de Zaragoza, 5 | Hotel | - |
| Husa Noain Pamplona | C/Real s/n Pamplona-Noain | Hotel | - |
| Residencia de Estudiantes Los Abedules | C/ Soto de Lezkairu s/n | Hostel | - |
Mid-Range
Upscale
Work
Keep Connected
Internet
Phone
See also International Telephone Calls
Post
If you want to post a card, you can head to the post office (Correos). The Spanish post is not yet as efficient as colleagues in other countries so receiving a card can take a bit longer than the number of days that it should take. On the website of Correos, you can find the locations of nearby post offices.
Post offices are generally open from 8:30am to 2:00pm, although times can vary and the main post office usually is open until the early evening. Most will also open again on Saturday mornings, but in the smaller towns will close as early as 12 noon. When posting a letter, look for a yellow box and, if possible, post at the post office itself where there will also be divisions for local, national and international mail. Be prepared for long queues at the post office. This is why tobacco shops sell stamps and many will also have the facility to weigh packages.
Standard letters/postcards of up to 20 grams sent within Spain are €0.34. However, non-standard letters/postcards of up to 20g are €0.39. Letters/postcards of 20 to 50 grams are €0.45. In the case of international shipping, the price is €0.64 to most countries within Europe for standard envelopes (letters/postcards) up to 20g, for a few European countries and outside Europe it is €0.78.
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This is version 9. Last edited at 12:27 on Sep 13, 10 by Utrecht. 6 articles link to this page.
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