THE ENCIERRILLO

The name "encierrillo" is given to the task to moving the bulls up to the bullpen from where they will start their morning run. This event takes place the night before each run. When the bulls are brought to Pamplona they are first put in pens just outside the city walls on the far side of the river. The night before each run they are moved from this place up to the pen in Santo Domingo Street from where they will start the morning run to the bullring. This distance between the two pens is about one kilometer and is covered by the bulls on foot. However, in this case there are no runners allowed to lead the bulls from one pen to the other. The Drovers will do this job using their long rods. Spectators may line the route at certain points and many people avail of this opportunity to get a first look at those bulls who will do the run the following morning and who will be killed in the ring that same afternoon.

It is necessary to get a pass to watch the event. You can get it at the Cultural City Office at Descalzos street the previous days of the fiesta. Call the information phone 010 of the city council and they will tell you which day can you get them (2 per person).

The distance is not long between the two pens - about 440 metres. Shortly before the bulls are released, the municipal police clear the street of pedestrians and cars. The head-drover situates his team of drovers at certain points along the route. The sound of a trumpet rings out to let the drovers know when the pen in Santo Domingo is prepared to receive the bulls. Midway between the two pens, a policeman stands on the bridge which crosses the river and he gives a second blast on his trumpet to let the drovers in the bottom pen know that they can release the bulls. The herd comes up the steep route at a brisk pace with the drovers running behind. The spectacle is watched in silence in total contrast to the noisy reception the bulls will experience the following morning when they make their run from the Santo Domingo pen up to the Bullring. This event takes place late at night when it is already dark and for some people it has a certain mystìc - the majestic bulls cantering silently along under the still light of the shining moon. If you are not a real fan of the bulls the whole thing might seem a bit of a damper but for some people it has its emotion.