The Monumento al Encierro (Bull Run Monument) is a full-scale bronze sculpture designed by Bilbao sculptor Rafael Huerta that pays tribute to Pamplona’s famous running of the bulls. Visitors will find this distinctive work of art on Avenida Roncesvalles in Pamplona’s city center, just a stone’s throw from the bull ring. Located a few steps from the Plaza del Castillo, this attraction impresses and astounds with its realism. The iconic monument is made in cast bronze and measures 13 feet wide and 36 feet long. Monumento al Encierro captures the wild energy and excitement of the daring bull runs that take over the entire city each July during the San Fermin Fiesta
The sculpture depicts eleven spirited bulls charging through the streets, snorting on the heels of the runners (called mozos) as they sprint toward the Plaza de Toros with all their might. A few of the runners have stumbled and fallen to the ground, and this hyper-realistic monument depicts the anguish and fear etched on their faces.
Tribute to the Famous Bull Run of Pamplona
Many who visit the Encierro monument are amazed by the intensity and quality of this cast bronze sculpture that portrays the courage of the mozos, the power of the bulls, and the wide range of emotions in beautiful detail. Walking around the sculpture, onlookers can experience the exhilaration and very real danger of the bull run, as they witness a dynamic moment frozen in time.
Whether you stop en route to the bull ring, or while exploring Pamplona city, the Monumento al Encierro is a must-see and provides a terrific photo opportunity. If you happen to be traveling with children, please note that climbing on top of the sculpture is forbidden, though it is very tempting!
Local residents take great pride in this significant symbol of Pamplona and the San Fermin running of the bulls. The sculptor Rafael Huerta, who has been enamored with Pamplona since the first time he witnessed the bull run, created the bronze sculpture in 1997, and made later expansions in 2007.
Visiting the Encierro Monument
The Monumento al Encierro is easily accessed by public transportation. Travelers will find this magnificent work of art near Pamplona’s Old Town, where Avenida Roncesvalles and Avenida de Carlos III meet. The sculpture is close to other cultural points of interest and can be easily incorporated into a day of city sightseeing and tours of the bullring.
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