Set in the heart of Navarre’s capital, Plaza del Ayuntamiento in Pamplona is where the Festival of San Fermín begins and ends. It all starts on 6 July when the famous El Chupinazo rocket is launched from the Town Hall balcony, and draws to a close on 14 July when a huge crowd sings “Pobre de mí”.
The Baroque Town Hall and its impressive façade preside over the square. Opposite, and on each side, are buildings that house shops, bars, restaurants, the tourist information office, etc.
Also known as Plaza Consistorial, the square makes a great starting point for a tour of Pamplona’s historic side.
History
The origins of Plaza Consistorial in Pamplona can be traced back to the time of Charles III. The Spanish king ordered a town hall to be built here in 1423, because it was the point where three villages converged (Navarrería, San Cernín and San Nicolás). Up until this point, they were separate medieval villages divided by walls, but following the Privilege of the Union, Pamplona was made into a single city with its own city walls, a coat of arms and its own taxes.
During the 16th century, the town hall was known as the Casa del Regimiento. It was later pulled down, in 1753, due to deterioration, and a new building was constructed in the following years, following designs by expert builder Juan Miguel de Goyeneta. It was officially opened in 1760.
Casa Consistorial
The current Casa Consistorial building in Pamplona dates from the middle of the 20th century. In 1952, everything except the façade was demolished and a new building was designed by architect Yárnoz Orcoyen.
The 18th century façade of the Casa Consistorial in Pamplona combines the late Baroque and Neoclassical styles. José de Zay y Lorda, a Pamplona-born cleric and architect, designed the façade, and José Jiménez made the sculptures. Notable sculptural features include the decorative leaves, the two virtues (Prudence and Justice) on the main entrance, and the figures of Hercules and the Allegory of Fame on the top part of the façade.
It can be visited on a guided tour if you book in advance with Pamplona City Council.
San Fermín (chupinazo)
The Festival of San Fermín begins on 6 July with “El Chupinazo”. A rocket is launched from the Town Hall balcony at 12 pm; interestingly, it was fired in Plaza del Castillo to celebrate the beginning of the festival up until 1941. Since 2016, the citizens of Pamplona have chosen who is responsible for lighting the fuse; previously, this honour was always bestowed on the mayor, councillors or a local personality selected by the city council.
Plaza Consistorial in Pamplona fills with a huge crowd of people who come to see El Chupinazo and are dressed in the typical San Fermín Festival outfit: white shirt and trousers, a red sash, and a red festival handkerchief.
From 12 pm, when the rocket is launched, until 14 July, when “Pobre de mí” is also sung in Plaza Consistorial (this time at 12 am), countless fun activities take place in the city streets, including concerts, open air dances, parades, children’s shows, giants, big heads, etc.
The running with the bulls is held each morning through the city streets, and it passes through the square.
