European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 3, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse Ass photos by Dave Didio a it Rass Sasic r colourful mosaics brighten the Plaza Del Castillo which bustles with cafe customers once the afternoon siesta ends. A a a Quot a Vlf a. A is t it i Ltd up g. Is it. It it a running bulls just part of its Appeal Lively Pamplona by Norm Zeigler travel outdoor writer according to popular legend Pamplona was named for the roman general Pompey who camped on a Hill near the Arga River in the Winter of 75-74 . But present Day Pamplona got its Quot name from american writer Ernest Hemingway whose 1926 Best seller the Sun also rises rocketed the City to International renown. The Book celebrated the City s biggest festival the fiesta de san Fermin especially the dangerous daily ritual known As the running of the bulls. Today a Street near the bullring is named for Hemingway and every year in july thousands flock to Pamplona to relive the carousing and the we Klong spectacle that so captivated the Quot lost Twenty two year old Ido a Zorri Illar grew up with the fiesta. What makes it most special she says is that Quot san Fermin is a party that is in the Street. It is for the old people and the Young people the Rich people and the poor people. It does t but there is life in Pamplona after san Fermin. Set amid the arid Plains of Central Navarre Pamplona is the Region s economic Hub As Well As the seat of the provincial government. With a population of just Over 180,000, it has More than a third of the province s Hal million residents. South of Pamplona the Countryside is Farmland and rolling Hills a Patchwork of Grain and potato Fields slowed into the red Stony soil. Here the dominant colors Are Brown ochre and red. North of the City the landscape changes As it rises to the Foothills of the pyrenees. Vegetation becomes Greener and More abundant. In the moisture Rich mountains Are extensive forests of Beech Ash and Oak. Like All of Spain Pamplona has a Stormy history. It began As a Basque settlement in pre Christian times and was variously conquered and occupied by the romans the visigoths the moors and the French. From the 10th Century until it was absorbed by Castille in 1521, it was the capital of the kingdom of Navarre. For most visitors the place to Start a tour of Pamplona is the Plaza Del Castillo. This spacious Square lined by cafes bars and shops is where the action is. Early in the Day it is sober and reserved but once the afternoon siesta is Over it begins to come alive with locals As Well As visitors of Many Ages and nationalities. But mainly it is the Domain of the Young. They come to eat to sip Coffee Beer and wine to watch and be watched. In some w ays the Square is an informal social club. Many a new Friendship or Romance begins across a table on the Plaza Del Castillo. Save Zorri Illar Quot if someone is above a shopper inspects strings of garlic at a Street Market. At left the Pamplona Cathedral was built on the site of an earlier religious Structure. Alone in Pamplona it s no trouble to meet Young surrounding the Plaza Del Castillo on three sides Are the narrow streets and ancient houses of the old town. Because Many of the streets Are off limits to cars it is a relaxing area for strolling and window shopping. There Are Many Small shops Selling postcards local handicrafts and tourist trinkets As Well As everyday products. The tourist office is Only a half Block off the Plaza Del Castillo on Calle Duque de Ahumada. Also within a few blocks Are the Palace of the Kings of Navarre the elaborate baroque City Hall and the St. Cernin Church. Lust four blocks away from the Square is the City s mo1 10 stripes Magazine october 3, 1991
