Running from bulls and live towers: 5 of Spain’s most extreme festivals

Fabulous Spain beckons with its unrivaled color. Picturesque nature, sights with centuries-old history, seafood-rich cuisine – all this and much more is valuable for tourists from different corners of the globe.

But the colorful country is also known for its unusual annual festivals, which for the unprepared public will seem crazy and as risky as possible.

San Fermín – running with bulls

The Feast of St. Fermín is celebrated annually in Pamplona from July 6 to 14. During these days, the city is enveloped in a festive atmosphere, a riot of colors and fun. The townspeople can expect bull runs through the streets, all kinds of performances, workshops for children and dances in the main squares of Pamplona.

According to historical documents, the first mention of the festival dates back to 1186, when the relics of St. Fermin were transferred from the French city to Pamplona. At first, the festival was purely religious in nature, when residents remembered the tragic fate of the saint. But later fairs and bullfights were held on these days.

However, the idea of running bulls through the streets came far from immediately. Spain owes such an unusual event to the shepherds who brought the best bulls for bullfighting. The first who dared to risk their lives and run in front of angry bulls were butchers of local shops. And the spectators liked the action so much that it was decided to include such runs in the central event of the whole celebration.

However, San Fermin has some sad statistics. It is not uncommon for runners to get seriously injured. According to official data, 16 people have died since 1910 (the last accident occurred in 2009). Often the victims are tourists who perceive the race as a fun entertainment. Spaniards themselves responsibly prepare for the almost one-kilometer distance and understand the danger.

In recent years, activists have been collecting signatures to ban the festival. After all, at the end of the festival bulls are driven into the bullfighting arena. By the way, bullfighting is not banned in all areas of Spain. For example, in Catalonia there is a complete ban on it, and in the north of the country there are still regions where bloody spectacles are held.

La Tomatina – tomato battles

Where else but in the Spanish town of Buñol, extreme tourists will have an opportunity to take part in the battle of tomatoes?

The unusual festival lasts a week and has a number of strict rules. Before throwing a tomato at someone, you must first crush it in your hands. Otherwise, you can seriously injure your opponent (although you can still get bumps, bruises and hematomas). Among other things, it is forbidden to carry any objects that can cause accidental injuries.

Such a festival attracts a huge number of tourists. Thus, the population of Bunyole is only 9 thousand people, and during La Tomatina 40 thousand more people flock here to fight in tomato battles.

The festival opens in the early morning, in the center of the city are already standing huge trucks loaded with tomatoes. But the battle does not begin immediately: first, one of the wannabes must climb a long pole generously greased with oil. At the top, a decent piece of jamon awaits the winner. As soon as the daredevil reaches his prize, a deafening volley of water cannons is fired and the battle begins.

There is no winner in the battle, the goal is just to have fun. The whole bacchanalia lasts exactly one hour. After that another volley of water cannons is fired, signifying the end of the battle.

In the finale all the streets of the city are covered with tomato streaks, and in the sludge that accumulates on the roads, you can easily take a bath. And the main thing is to wash everything from tomatoes. For this purpose fire trucks are involved, which with the help of hoses wash the walls of houses and buildings. And the participants of tomato battles run to the nearest river. By the way, the owners of stores and stores are the luckiest in this case: they deliberately close the windows with plastic shields to avoid damage.

El Colacho – jumping over babies

The festival takes place in the small provincial town of Castrillo De Murcia. The event is purely religious in nature and is celebrated on the 60th day after Easter. Members of a local fraternity called Santisimo Sacramento de Minevra traditionally dress in bright yellow robes and come out to the main street of the town. Their faces are hidden under scary masks, and in their hands each of them holds a stick, with which they do not mind hitting (in jest, of course) a passing resident.

It is not hard to guess that the main participants of the holiday are El Colacho and symbolize something devilish. However, it doesn’t end with the mermaids’ festivities alone. Ahead of the highlight of the holiday – jumping over babies. Right on the street they spread out baby mattresses, and on them they put all the babies born during the last year. After that, dressed up fraternity members run out and jump over the babies. It is worth noting that for all the years of the Spanish tradition, and it has been more than four centuries, none of the babies were harmed. At least, that’s what the residents claim.

After the last of El Colacho jumps over, the children are sprinkled with rose petals. The essence of the tradition is very simple: the inhabitants piously believe that in this way the children receive eternal protection from evil.

Els Enfarinats – egg and flour battles

An unusual traditional celebration takes place in the province of Alicante, the city of Ibi. On December 28 each year, the married men of the town dress up in military costumes and engage in fierce battles. The holiday identifies a kind of military coup d’état, taking place in a joking way. On the day of the celebration, the “military” overthrow the mayor, judges and other government officials. New ones are elected in their place and anyone who resists is fined.

But there are those who gather their own army of oppositionists. They, led by the official mayor and police officers, generously armed with flour and eggs, begin to bravely fight the coup participants. The town lives in this state until the evening, after which a series of dances and fun begins.

El Concurs de Castells – a competition of living towers

Quite risky holiday is celebrated in early October in Catalonia and represents a real living tower, built of all willing people. However, one wish is not enough – all participants of the holiday are practicing hard for several months. It is not surprising: one wrong move and the whole structure will collapse downwards, causing serious injuries.

It is said that several times the tower has actually collapsed right in front of the spectators, but luckily no injuries were caused. But despite the huge risk, hundreds of tourists come to Catalonia every year, not only to watch the fascinating action, but also to take part in it.

El Concurs de Castells is one of the youngest traditions in Spain. Living towers began to be built in the early XIX century. Today there are dozens of official organizations that participate in the construction of such human structures.