Segovia information
Cuéllar: The Bull-Runs of Nuestra Señora del Rosario
Date: The last Sunday of August
The location for one of the oldest bull-run festivals in all of
Spain is the city of Cuéllar in the province of Segovia.
The deep-rooted tradition and popularity of the festival have
earned it the recognition of being declared of touristic interest
in Castilla y León. The celebrations of the bull-runs of
Nuestra Señora del Rosario are held during the festival
of the patron saint, but the most popular day is the last Sunday
of August, when five bull-runs take place in the streets of the
city.
At 7.50 in the morning people are already waiting excitedly for
the bulls. The first stretch runs form the area of the bullpens
to the edge of the pinewoods, from where the horsemen will then
drive the bulls to the bullring. After crossing the pine grove,
the horsemen walk the bulls to a resting place, where they can
take a pause.
Now comes the most complicated stretch where the mountains finish
and the road begins. By this time it is about 9.30, and the urban
circuit begins. The bulls are driven through the streets of Cuéllar
until they arrive at Los Paseos, where the bullring is placed.
The run can take up to an hour and a half. While the men are herding
the bulls around the countryside, the people of the town wait
impatiently for them to enter the city. To pass the time, they
dance the traditional dance and sing a song called "¡A por
ellos!" (After them!) that is known as the hymn of the town. Even
more so, if possible, at the end of the festivities on Saturday
at 7.00 in the afternoon, when the final announcements are given
to an overflowing Plaza Mayor, and the town ends the festival
by bursting into song when the announcer shouts "after them!".
This is when the partying really begins.