Pamplona is a wonderful city, also for people who aren't into the infamous bull-run of Pamplona. The historical capital of Navarra is also the home of Club Atlético Osasuna, since a couple of years back in the Spanish top flight.
We already did like El Sadar a bit, in particular because of the strange, high main stand towering over the rest of the stadium. You'd better not be afraid of heights, but from the top tier you had a wonderful view over Pamplona.
Over the last years the stadium of Osasuna has been renovated, during which the other stands were brought to the same level of the main stand, and which lifted the stadium's capacity to 24.000. The view over the city has been lost, but it makes the stadium a lot more intimidating for away players. Because of the steep stands, it seems like the fanatic Osasuna crowd is on top of the pitch.
The Plaza del Castillo is the largest and most beautiful square of the city. In the northwest corner of the square used to be Café Kutz, where in 1920 Osasuna was founded. That has become a bank office of BBVA now, but also neighbour Café Iruña - the Basque name of Pamplona - is a real Osasuna place, and the café is even known as the first socio ever of the club.
It's probably the smallest celebration square of Spain, the Plaza Consistorial. On the Plaza del Castillo around the corner there's room for ten times more people, but on the Plaza Consistorial is the town hall of Pamplona. At the most recent promotion in 2019 the players appeared on the balcony of the town hall, and of course the whole square was filled with fans.
Behind the Tribuna Sur stands, between the stadium and the Navarra Arena, a new piece of art. It's 'Sentimiento' of Carlos Purroy, an ex-player of Osasuna turned artist after his career. The sculpture was created for the centenary of Osasuna in 2020, en has to be an ode to the fans of the club.
Under a corner of the Tribuna Gol you'll find 'El Txoko de Sadar', a typical Basque restaurant in the style of the club. Here you can dine extensively, but also grab a quick beer before the match. Pictures from the history of Osasuna decorate the walls of the restaurant.
Suddenly the mural of Michael Robinson was there, on an august morning at the Avenida Roncesvalles, in the heart of Pamplona.
There's little players from the British football culture who can really settle in Spain, but Michael Robinson never left the Iberian peninsula. The Irish international won the Europa Cup I with Liverpool and ended his career at Osasuna. After his career he became a famous pundit and commentator on the Spanish television, until he died in 2020. Before a friendly between Liverpool and Osasuna, street artist SKN created the mural in memorial of the Irish striker, who along the way became a little bit Spanish.
On the officiële website of Osasuna you can easily buy tickets. To good Spanish use it can take some time before the tickets come online, but your patience will pay off.
El Sadar is in the south of Pamplona, not far from the university of Navarra. There's enough parking space around the stadium.
From the Plaza de Toros in the heart of town you take bus 11 to El Sadar: a 15-minute drive and you get off the bus right in front of the stadium. From Pamplona's train station you take bus 16 till Avenida de Zaragoza 105.
Images: BSR Agency
