Pamplona´s peñas

There are sixteen "Peñas" (Social Clubs which admit a limited number of members) in Pamplona.

They each have their own clubhouse and exist throughout the year, mainly for the purpose of celebrating meals together. They make up a federation and publish a magazine. They also have an internet site about the peñas, where you can find a lot of information about what do they do not only during the Sanfermin festival, but also the rest of the year. The oldest one dates from 1903 - "La Unica" and since, the others were gradually formed thoroughout the following decades. Originally, they were men-only clubs, but now both sexes are members in almost all of them. (Hooray for progress!). Sanfermin is no longer "the last bastion of the macho" as Hemingway once described it. And neither are the "Peñas". Their premises have also gradually improved in decour and comfort which just goes to show that civilization is progressing, I suppose.

At present there are 16 peñas. They are Aldapa, Alegría de Iruña, Anaitasuna, Armonía Txantreana, Los de Bronce, El Bullicio Pamplonés, Donibane, Irrintzi, La Jarana, Muthiko Alaiak, Oberena, Rotxapea, Sanduzelai, San Fermín, El Txarko and La Única. Also Mutilzarra, but these one is not included in the federation.