Pamplona, 1954

[Matthew_SWilson]

Perhaps because it's the first major city after departing Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port or maybe it's simply the city's vibrant atmosphere, but Pamplona had a lasting effect on me as I walked the Camino Frances in 2010. The fame of San Fermin loomed over the town's cobbled streets and grandiose bullring. I was reluctant to leave.

In the subsequent months and years of writing my 'Camino novel' I researched the history of the path to Santiago and came across the following article from CNN. It contains seven photographs of the San Fermin fiesta from the year 1954. Each image shows the same city thousands of pilgrims pass through every day, but populated with lost faces from the past: a matador preparing for a bullfight; soldiers passing a group of boys in traditional dress; packed balconies of locals watching the oncoming bulls; a group of revelers at night.

Not a detailed history of the Camino de Santiago, but seven glimpses into what it looked like more than half a century ago, captured by the late photographer, Inge Morath.

The 'Running of the Bulls' in 1954 | CNN

The annual San Fermin festival and its world-famous "Running of the Bulls" have been around for centuries. Late photographer Inge Morath was in Spain more than 60 years ago to take these pictures.

edition.cnn.com

 

[mspath]

Wow! What an amalgam Inge Morath, Magnum and San Fermin! Thanks for the link to this reportage.

 

[hotelmedicis]

Perhaps because it's the first major city after departing Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port or maybe it's simply the city's vibrant atmosphere, but Pamplona had a lasting effect on me as I walked the Camino Frances in 2010. The fame of San Fermin loomed over the town's cobbled streets and grandiose bullring. I was reluctant to leave.

In the subsequent months and years of writing my 'Camino novel' I researched the history of the path to Santiago and came across the following article from CNN. It contains seven photographs of the San Fermin fiesta from the year 1954. Each image shows the same city thousands of pilgrims pass through every day, but populated with lost faces from the past: a matador preparing for a bullfight; soldiers passing a group of boys in traditional dress; packed balconies of locals watching the oncoming bulls; a group of revelers at night.

Not a detailed history of the Camino de Santiago, but seven glimpses into what it looked like more than half a century ago, captured by the late photographer, Inge Morath.

The 'Running of the Bulls' in 1954 | CNN

The annual San Fermin festival and its world-famous "Running of the Bulls" have been around for centuries. Late photographer Inge Morath was in Spain more than 60 years ago to take these pictures.

edition.cnn.com

That's wonderful! Thanks for sharing. I recall that the 1957 film "The Sun Also Rises" had video footage of the San Fermin festival from the period. Have you read David Gilitiliz book "The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago" ? In it he talks about Pamplona and says that it's the only city or major town on the Camino without a central main street. The book is fascinating.

 

[Matthew_SWilson]

That's wonderful! Thanks for sharing. I recall that the 1957 film "The Sun Also Rises" had video footage of the San Fermin festival from the period. Have you read David Gilitiliz book "The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago" ? In it he talks about Pamplona and says that it's the only city or major town on the Camino without a central main street. The book is fascinating.

I haven’t seen the film, just read the book many years ago. I’ll have to watch the film. And that book looks great. I’d almost paused reading books about the Camino in fear of being unconsciously influenced as I wrote mine. But now I’m ready to read others so this was a timely recommendation - thanks. Yes the layout of Pamplona is unique, in particular the entrance most pilgrims make through the stone city gates by the bullring. It’s a theatrical welcome.

 

[lt56ny]

I haven’t seen the film, just read the book many years ago. I’ll have to watch the film. And that book looks great. I’d almost paused reading books about the Camino in fear of being unconsciously influenced as I wrote mine. But now I’m ready to read others so this was a timely recommendation - thanks. Yes the layout of Pamplona is unique, in particular the entrance most pilgrims make through the stone city gates by the bullring. It’s a theatrical welcome.

Not quite as many people running with the bulls back in 1954. What a great year that was. One very special pilgrim. so close to my heart was born that year