San Fermin, Bishop and Martyr IV Century. This Saint, famous patron of the Corridas de San Fermin, (Bull Fights of San Fermin) was born in Pamplona . The name comes from Firmusa firm and of valor.

The origin of the San Fermin fiesta is not quite clear There are chronicles from the XIII and XIV centuries which already mention the Sanfermines which, up to the XVI century, were held in October to coincide with Saint's festival but were later moved to July because of the unpredictable weather of the former month.

According to many historians, the Sanfermines were formed from three separate fiestas: those of a religious nature in honor of San Fermín and which have taken place since time immemorial, the commercial fiestas organized since the XIV century and the taurine (bull fight) festivals which were centered around the bullfights, also since the XIV century.

Slowly, the commemoration of San Fermín, which was held on the 10th of October, began to add other elements such as music, dance, comedies, trading and bull fights. This motivated the Town Council to request that the fiesta of San Fermín be moved to the 7th of July, as this was a more suitable date.

Hence, with the joining of all three festivals and the changing of the date in 1591, the Sanfermines were born. The first of this great festival lasted only two days and included a procession, musicians, a tournament, theatre and bull fight. In the subsequent years, other means of celebrating were added, such as fireworks and dances and the fiestas were prolonged till the 10th.

In the 17 and 18 centuries, chronicles spoke of religious acts taking part next to dancers, musicians, tournaments, acrobats, bull runs and bulls. The concern was over the abuse of drink; the permissiveness of young men and women and strangers from other lands, who with their shows, made the city more amusing.

During the 19th century, other attractions joined the city such as exotic animals, wax figures, and the Comparsa de Gigantes made their debut with the cabezudos (huge figures with large heads). At the time there was no double wall, so many bulls escaped into the city's street on various occasions.

It was in the 20th century that the fiestas reached the peak of their popularity. In part, it was thanks to Ernest Hemingway and his novel The Sun Also Rises, that the rest of the world became aware of this popular fiesta.

The Bull Run is the most well known act of the Sanfermines and the reason why so many strangers make their way to Pamplona on the 6th of July. Basically, it consists of running along certain stretches of the streets which have been previously walled off, and the aim of which is to take the bulls from the Santo Domingo corrals to the Bull Ring where, later that afternoon, they will be fought. A total of six bulls are "run" as well as two herds of tame bulls and the route, which runs through different streets of the old city center, measures 825 meters .

This dangerous race, which is run every morning between the 7th and 14th of July, begins at 8.00 a .m., although the runners will have entered the run at 7.30. A few minutes before the race is due to begin the youths who will make the run entrust themselves to San Fermín and sing three times before a niche of the Saint decorated with the scarves of the peñas (clubs), or social groups, which is located on the Cuesta de Santo Domingo. The song goes like this: "We ask San Fermín, as our Patron, to guide us through the Bull Run and give us his blessing." It is a dangerous race, due to the fact that in earlier years there were less people than there are today.

At eight o'clock exactly the first rocket is launched announcing the opening of the gates of the small corrals of Santo Domingo , while the firing of the second indicates that all the bulls have left. From then on the animals run along the following course: they go up the Santo Domingo rise and cross the Town Hall Square in order to run in line down the Calle Mercaderes. A closed curve leads into the Calle Estafeta, the longest part of the route, which is followed by a small part of the Calle Duque de Ahumada, also known as the Telefónica (telephone exchange) stretch, which gives access to the dead end street, which leads to the Bull Ring. Once all the bulls have entered the ring enclosure, a third rocket goes up while the fourth indicates that the beasts have gone into the bullpens and the Bull Run is over.

The run lasts for three minutes on average, which are prolonged if any of the bulls should get separated from the rest of the herd. Although all the stretches are dangerous, the curve of the Calle Mercaderes and the stretch between the Calle Estafeta and the Bull Ring are the most treacherous.

All sections of the route are looked over by a large number of security guards and first aid assistants. However, the danger of the run has meant that between 1924 and 1997 14 people have died and more than 200 been injured by the bulls.

As well as being the best-known act of the Sanfermines, the Bull Run is also the most dangerous. In order to ensure that the Run goes off successfully and to avoid danger, it is recommended that the spectators and runners bear in mind certain minimal rules which guarantee the normal running of the Bull Run . Lots of runners carry a rolled up newspaper, to hit the bulls with.

The Bull Run is the most famous part of the San Fermin festival, and is why many foreigners arrive in Pamplona on 6th July. The bull run consists of running along fenced off stretches of streets, in front of bulls. The purpose is to transfer the bulls from the Santo Domingo enclosure to the Bullring, which is where the bulls will fight that afternoon. Six bulls run, as do two herds of tame bulls. The route, which runs through various streets in the Old Part, which is 2750 feet long.

This dangerous race is run at 8 a .m. every morning, from the 7th to 14th July. Runners must have entered the fenced area by 7.30 a .m. A few minutes before the race the runners ask for Saint Fermin's trust, from an effigy of the saint in a niche at the top of Santo Domingo Street . The effigy is decorated with the neck scarves of the peñas, or local clubs. Then the runners sing a song three times, at 7.55 a .m. 7.57am a.m. and 7.59 a .m. the song translates as "We ask for San Fermin, who is our Patron, to guide us through the Bull Run , and give us his blessing." After the song there are shouts of "Long live San Ferminä in Spanish and Basque; and this is a very emotional moment.

At exactly eight o'clock the first rocket, announcing the opening of the gates of the small Santo Domingo enclosure, is fired off. The second rocket means that all the bulls have left the enclosure. Then the animals run along the following course.

Santo Domingo
There are 933 feet , between the enclosure and the Plaza Consistorial, the City Hall Square . It is a steep slope and the bulls tend to stick together. It is one of the most violent and dangerous sections, especially where it joins the Plaza Consistorial.

The City Hall and Mercaderes Street
330 feet and one of the least dangerous sections, even though it is theoretically more difficult because of the double curve. This may be due to the wide stretch and the many nooks and crannies to hide in.

The Estafeta Street Bend
Estafeta Street begins with a right angle, which often makes the bulls slip and crash into the fence. Runners should take the corner by the inside, if they don't want to be caught.

Estafeta Street to Bajada de Javier Street
This long and narrow stretch has a slight 2% incline. It is one of the more crowded stretches but there are no hiding places.

Bajada de Javier Street to the top end of Estafeta Street
Here the speed of the herd reduces notably. There is always the risk that the bulls will be split up and a loose bull can be very dangerous.

Estafeta Street 's Exit
It is a little under 330 feet , and is also known as the "Teléfonica". The two wooden fences form a funnel. Tiredness slows down the run, and this may separate the bulls, which can be extremely dangerous. It is a favorite spot for those with divine inspiration and the uninitiated.

The Callejón
This section acts as a funnel and goes down into the Bull Ring. It is very scary, as there is a risk of people stumbling and falling, forming a pile up.

Once all of the brave bulls have entered the bullring, a third rocket is fired, then a fourth one is fired to announce that the bulls are now in the pen and the run is finished.