Pamplona

Pamplona is the historic capital of Navarre and was founded in 75 BC by the Roman General Pompey (Pamplona in Spanish).  By the middle ages it was not a proper town but a fortress.  Starting in the 11th century things started to improve due to the popularity of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela and Pamplona being used as a resting place.  Today Pamplona is famous for its annual running of the bulls festival every July but it offers much more than that.  Its fortified walls, obligatory Cathedral, colorful buildings along narrow lanes, odd traditions and rich history make it a pleasure to explore and explore we did over an afternoon and morning When we arrived from Lerma, the weather was cool and overcast but we could see breaks of blue sky and hoped for the best.  However, our luck ran out a couple of hours later and we headed back to our car with both our spirits and clothes dampened.  The next morning brought sunshine and so we decided to go back and get some better pictures.  We also bumped into a couple of fun festivals going on in old town which was a pleasant and unexpected surprise.

 Pamplona's imposing five kilometers (3 miles) of city walls were started in 1569 as a defense against a suspected attack from the Franks (France) and are still 80% intact.

 Rita standing at Puerta de Francia (French Gate), with drawbridge down) where Camino Pilgrims enter Pamplona on their way to Santiago de Compostela.

 In the center of the city is the "Running of the Bulls" statue, built in 2007, showing 6 Bulls, 2 steers and 10 runners (all men and no females for some unknown reason).

The skinny and twisting Calle Curia (Curia street) showcases the tall houses and narrow streets in old town.  Due to Pamplona being a walled city right up to 1923, space was at a premium.  It's wonderful how the owners used different colors to make the streets look vibrant even when the sun does not shine.
 

 Pamplona's beautiful City Hall was built in 1423 and today its balconies are full of opera singers giving free performances in celebration of  European Opera Day.  It was a thrilling experience.
  

 A few blocks away we came upon the Giants and Big Heads parade (English translation).  The festival is more than 150 years old and the giants are about 4 meters (13 ft) high carried by dancers inside a wooden structure.  They stroll and twirl through the streets as bands from different neighborhoods play traditional music, ending up in a plaza where everyone joins in.
 

 Once the giants and musicians are in the square and set up in their neighborhood sections, the music starts up again, dancers appear in traditional Basque costumes and begin their traditional folk dances.  A very fun and kid friendly event.