I was hoping for more from Pamplona. The narrow streets, busy shops and cafe’s, the large Cathedral and even larger bullring, but I have to say I was disappointed. Yes it had some good points and is obviously a city with a great identity but it took me some time to find any spiritual feeling.
Our first attempt at visiting the Cathedral was not successful – it was closed. OK they were preparing for the Rosary to be said but according to the published times we were early enough. The following day we were more successful, but even then I distinctly got the impression that the building and its’ history were more important than the worship of God. That was until we came to the old monastery part of the site. Then I ended up with mixed feelings. This place had had a spiritual upbringing but somehow this was lost on me, only in the small cloister did I sense any spiritual feeling.
Pamplona like so many cities and large towns in Spain boasts multiple churches in a small area. As we wondered through the streets we came across a few. Some we managed to get into, one was just starting a service of celebration for Saint Fermin, a local Navarre Saint. The church was packed to the rafters, a buzz of anticipation and the massive bells ringing out across the city. Further down the road a procession of the statue of St Fermin was winding it way through the streets followed by a band and hundreds more. Fermin is for ever associated with the Running of the bulls in Pamplona – more mixed feelings.
Holy Places - a journey of discovery 