Pamplona · NavarreJuly 6–14, 2027
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San Fermín

The world's reference on the festival · Guides, the bull run and the calendar

20 photos · San Fermín

Historic San Fermín pictures

Long before smartphones, photographers were already capturing the bull run. This gallery brings together early 20th-century images by Julio Altadill and others, press photos from 1931, the San Fermín poster of 1885 and a bullfight ticket from Ernest Hemingway's visit in 1926 — plus the monuments Pamplona has dedicated to its festival.

Discover the full story in our guide to the history and origins of San Fermín.

Runners and a bull in the Pamplona bullring, July 1968 (family archive).
Runners and a bull in the Pamplona bullring, July 1968 (family archive).Photo: Infrogmation of New Orleans (family archive) · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Runners and bulls tumble to the ground (Julio Altadill, early 20th century).
Runners and bulls tumble to the ground (Julio Altadill, early 20th century).Photo: Julio Altadill · Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
The herd reaches the Mercaderes bend (Julio Altadill, early 20th century).
The herd reaches the Mercaderes bend (Julio Altadill, early 20th century).Photo: Julio Altadill · Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
“The rocket sounds. The street narrows before the horns” (Julio Altadill, early 20th century).
“The rocket sounds. The street narrows before the horns” (Julio Altadill, early 20th century).Photo: Julio Altadill · Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
The last group of runners (Julio Altadill, early 20th century).
The last group of runners (Julio Altadill, early 20th century).Photo: Julio Altadill · Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
The Running of the Bulls monument by Rafael Huerta, on Avenida Carlos III.
The Running of the Bulls monument by Rafael Huerta, on Avenida Carlos III.Photo: Jorab · CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The bronze runners and bulls of the Encierro monument.
The bronze runners and bulls of the Encierro monument.Photo: Xauxa Håkan Svensson · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Detail of the Encierro monument in Pamplona.
Detail of the Encierro monument in Pamplona.Photo: Pedro M. Martínez Corada - www.martinezcorada.es · CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
A bronze bull charging in the Encierro monument.
A bronze bull charging in the Encierro monument.Photo: Michael Newman · CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The San Fermín poster of 1885, by Manuel Salvi.
The San Fermín poster of 1885, by Manuel Salvi.Photo: Manuel Salvi · Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
The bulls enter Pamplona's old bullring, 1903.
The bulls enter Pamplona's old bullring, 1903.Photo: Unknown author · Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
The bulls enter the old bullring (José Martínez Berasáin, early 20th century).
The bulls enter the old bullring (José Martínez Berasáin, early 20th century).Photo: José Martínez Berasain · Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Ticket stub from a Pamplona bullfight attended by Ernest Hemingway, July 1926.
Ticket stub from a Pamplona bullfight attended by Ernest Hemingway, July 1926.Photo: Unknown author · Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
The bull run in Pamplona, 1931 (Agence Rol).
The bull run in Pamplona, 1931 (Agence Rol).Photo: Agence Rol · Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Release of the bulls during San Fermín, 1931 (Agence Rol).
Release of the bulls during San Fermín, 1931 (Agence Rol).Photo: Agence Rol · Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Runners and bulls in Pamplona, 1931 (Agence Rol).
Runners and bulls in Pamplona, 1931 (Agence Rol).Photo: Agence Rol · Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
The Ernest Hemingway monument beside the bullring.
The Ernest Hemingway monument beside the bullring.Photo: Iijjccoo · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Revellers climb the bull sculpture of the Encierro monument (2014).
Revellers climb the bull sculpture of the Encierro monument (2014).Photo: Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada · CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Children pose with the bronze bulls of the Encierro monument, July 6, 2018.
Children pose with the bronze bulls of the Encierro monument, July 6, 2018.Photo: San Fermin Pamplona Navarra (Flickr) · CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
A child reaches out to one of the bronze bulls (2018).
A child reaches out to one of the bronze bulls (2018).Photo: San Fermin Pamplona Navarra (Flickr) · CC0 via Wikimedia Commons

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