Zaragoza (Spain) - the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Zaragoza with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of Zaragoza (Spain)

Zaragoza is a city in northeastern Spain, the capital of the Aragon region and the province of the same name. Situated on the Ebro River in the center of a wide valley. Zaragoza is a treasure trove of historical and cultural treasures that are truly worth seeing: ancient Roman ruins, majestic ancient churches, beautiful Mudejar palaces and museums with masterpieces by Francisco Goya, Serrano and Pablo Gargallo.

Zaragoza is a charming, warm city conveniently located between Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Bilbao, Valencia and Toulouse. It is one of the largest cities in Spain in terms of population and economy. Zaragoza beckons with its rich culture, shopping, delicious food and ancient sites. It is a city with 2,000 years of history that preserves one of the greatest historical and artistic heritages on the Iberian Peninsula.

Geography and climate

Zaragoza is located in the middle reaches of the Ebro, about 300 km from the capital of Spain - Madrid. The Huerva and Gallego rivers also flow through the city. The average altitude above sea level is about 200 m. Zaragoza has a cold, semi-arid climate. Winters here are quite cool with frequent light frosts. Summer is dry and hot. There is very little precipitation per year - about 400 mm, most of which falls in April-May and October-November.

Practical information

1. Population - 665 thousand people (fifth city in Spain).
2. Area - 973.78 square kilometers.
3. Language - Spanish.
4. Currency - euro.
5. Visa - Schengen.
6. Time - Central European UTC +1, summer +2.
7. Addresses of tourist information centers: Calle Eduardo Ibarra, 3; Glorieta de Pío XII; Plaza Nuestra Señora del Pilar; Av. Navarra.

Best time to visit

The most comfortable period is April-June and September-October.

Story

Zaragoza was founded by the Romans, who named the settlement Colonia Caesaraugusta. The name means "Colony of Emperor Augustus". At first, veterans of the Cantabrian wars settled here. Zaragoza soon became the most important urban center of the middle Ebro Valley. In 380, a general Christian synod took place here.

At the beginning of the 8th century, Zaragoza was conquered by the Arabs. From that time on, the city was part of the Caliphate of Cordoba and was an important Moorish stronghold in the fight against the Spanish kings. After the collapse of the Cordoba Caliphate, Zaragoza became the center of an independent Moorish state. In 1118 the city was conquered by the king of Aragon and Navarre and became the capital of the kingdom.

In the 15th century, after the unification of Spain, Zaragoza lost its importance, while remaining one of the most important and largest cities in the northeast. During the Napoleonic Wars the city became famous for its heroic defense against the French. In the 20th century, Zaragoza's economy began to develop rapidly thanks to industrialization.

How to get there

Zaragoza Airport is located 10 km from the city center. In 2008, a new terminal was built. Airplanes from Alicante, Brussels, London, Rome, Paris, Frankfurt and other cities in Spain and Europe arrive at this air port. You can get from the airport to the city by bus, train and taxi.

High-speed trains from Barcelona and Madrid run regularly to Zaragoza. Regular trains connect the city with Bilbao and Valencia. There are regular bus services to major cities in north-eastern and central Spain.

Shopping and purchases

Zaragoza is a great city for shopping. The main streets are home to a wide variety of shops. The main shopping area extends from Residencial Paraiso to Plaza España. Souvenirs can be bought in the Plaza San Brun area. Behind the football stadium is the city's largest market.

Food and drink

Zaragoza is famous for its gastronomy and tapas. Here are some typical Aragonese dishes:

• Bacalao al Ajoarriero - cod with garlic and eggs.
• Huevos al Salmorejo - eggs with tomato cream.
• Longanizas y Chorizos is a local type of sausage.
• Ternasco Asado - roasted lamb.
• Pollo al Chilindrón - chicken in a sauce with tomatoes, onions and paprika.
• Cordero a la Pastora is a lamb dish.
• Migas a la Aragonesa - a dish with egg and spicy pork sausage (chorizo).
• Borrajas are a local vegetable with olive oil.
• Melocotón con vino - peaches in wine.

At night on the streets of Zaragoza

Attractions

Zaragoza has a whole scattering of amazing sights and cultural monuments.

The Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar is a grandiose cathedral and the most famous landmark of Zaragoza. This Baroque gem was built between the 17th and 18th centuries on the banks of the Erbo River. The church is located in the Plaza del Pilar, a spacious city square surrounded by historic buildings.

The basilica is considered the first church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is one of the most important pilgrimage centers in Spain. According to legend, the Apostle James built a small chapel here dedicated to the Mother of God, which became the first in the Christian world. Other churches were subsequently built on the site, replaced in the 17th century by an impressive Baroque building.

The interior of the Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar is impressive and contains valuable works of art. Inside the Chapel of Santa Capilla, the work of the great Venturo Rodriguez, is an image of the Virgin Mary del Pilar. Of particular interest are the alabaster altar and the frescoes by Francisco Goya.

The Cathedral of San Salvador or simply La Seo is a grandiose church built on the site of the Roman Forum. During the period when Zaragoza belonged to the Moors, there was a mosque here. The tall tower was once a minaret. In the 12th century, the Muslim mosque was rebuilt into a Romanesque cathedral. La Seo Cathedral is a huge church with five naves, the two apses of which, with graceful sculpted arcades, have retained their original Romanesque character. Arabic influence is seen in the chancel and in some of the arches, while the choir is Gothic in style. Later the church received a neoclassical façade and baroque details on the tower.

The cathedral houses a magnificent tapestry museum. His collection is considered one of the best in the world. It houses 63 precious Flemish tapestries and six works of heraldic embroidery of very high quality, which date from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

The Church of San Pablo (St. Paul) is a masterpiece of the Mudejar style. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its exceptional architectural and historical value. The church was built in the 13th and 14th centuries to replace a small Romanesque chapel. Over the next centuries the building was constantly expanded. The most remarkable feature of this architectural monument is its magnificent octagonal tower in the Mudejar style. Inside is a remarkable 16th-century Renaissance altarpiece by Formento.

Sania Engracia is a Renaissance-style church that was part of the Jerome monastery. The building has a remarkable facade, which is considered a pearl of Aragonese Renaissance architecture. The church was built in the 16th century by the Morlans.

Church of Mary Magdalene - built in the early 14th century on the site of an ancient Roman temple. In the 17th century, the building acquired Baroque features. The most notable feature is the tower in the Mudejar architectural style. The interior has an unusual apse with overlapping arches and pointed windows. The main altar is decorated with sculptures and images by Arellano.

The Church of San Juan de los Panetes is another gem of the Mudejar style. The church was completed in 1725, replacing the Romanesque church of the Order of St. John. The main highlight of its architecture is the octagonal brick tower with arched techniques.

Aljaferia is an ancient fortified Moorish castle in the heart of Zaragoza. The fortress was built in the 11th century in the shape of a rectangle. The architecture is distinguished by round towers, except for one, which is rectangular and is called the Troubadour Tower. Today the Palacio de la Aljafería houses the headquarters of the Aragonese parliament. The palace is open to the public.

Lonia is a fine example of the Aragonese Renaissance, a magnificent 16th-century building located in Plaza del Pilar, opposite the basilica. La Lonia is the historical market of Zaragoza. The building, built of brick and designed by Sariñen, has a rectangular layout and a decorative facade with rows of uniform arched windows.

Museums of Zaragoza

The largest and most interesting museums in Zaragoza:

• The Roman Theater is one of the Roman heritage monuments that dates back to the 1st century.
• The Ancient Roman Museum is located on the archaeological site under the Plaza de la Seo. Contains displays and artifacts related to the Roman colony of Caesaraugusta, on the site of modern Zaragoza. Here you can see the ruins of the Forum, thermal baths, elements of the old market and ancient buildings, aqueducts.
• The Pablo Serrano Museum is dedicated to the work of the famous Aragonese artist. The museum exhibits include 140 drawings and sculptures that reflect the evolution of his work.
• The Aznar Museum is a wonderful fine arts museum that displays the collection of works collected by José Camón Aznar. The museum occupies a beautiful aristocratic house with three floors, designed around a magnificent courtyard. The building is considered one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture in Zaragoza. On the ground floor there are paintings from the 15th to 18th centuries, including works by Francisco Goya, Blasco de Graenen, Pedro Berruguete, Pedro de Campagna, Juan Antonio de Escalante and Gregorio Fernandez. The second floor is dedicated to Francisco Goya and his prints. The third floor contains works by 19th century artists such as: Eugenio Lucas, Leonardo Alenza and Lucas Villamil.
• Museum of Zaragoza - exhibitions related to the art, culture and history of the province. The museum's collection covers various historical and artistic periods, starting with the Moorish, continuing with the Medieval and Renaissance periods up to the 21st century. Particularly noteworthy fragments in the archeology section are ancient bronze tablets with Iberian and Latin inscriptions, a bust of Emperor Augustus and antiquities from the Aljaferia Palace. The Fine Arts department displays works of art from the 12th century to the modern period.
• The Pablo Gargallo Museum is dedicated to the life and work of the famous Aragonese sculptor.

Zaragoza is the fifth largest city in Spain. It is located approximately halfway between Barcelona and Madrid, but despite its proximity to the capital and a major tourist center, it has retained its provincial charm. There is a lot of ancient architecture in Zaragoza, excavations are still ongoing, and more and more new artifacts are periodically found.

Each of the cultures - Roman, Christian, Arab and Jewish - that once reigned in the city contributed to the creation, development and formation of the city as it is known today by 650,000 local residents and thousands of tourists from all over the world.

Any building in Zaragoza is actually a monument to a certain era, be it the Christian Cathedral of La Seo and the Basilica of El Pilar or the Arab Aljaferia Palace - a masterpiece of Muslim culture.

How to get to Zaragoza

There are no direct flights from Russia to Zaragoza, but there is an international airport in the city. You can fly here with one or two transfers in Europe, the journey will take from 8.5 hours, including transfers and will cost from 450 EUR round trip. The airport is located 12 km from the city center, buses No. 34 or No. 51 depart to the city every half hour, travel time is about 30 minutes, fare is 1.85 EUR per passenger. The city can also be reached from Madrid or Barcelona by train, bus or car. All trains and buses arrive at Delicias station. From the station to the city center you can take city routes No. 34 or No. 51 or by taxi (10 min., about 10-12 EUR).

By train

From Madrid by high-speed AVE train (1h 18 min, 40-55 EUR) or from Barcelona from Barcelona Sants station by high-speed AVE (1 h 27 min, 35-55 EUR).

By bus

Getting to Zaragoza is less comfortable, but much cheaper, by ALSA bus. More than 15 buses depart daily from Madrid (3 hours 54 minutes, 21-35 EUR) and Barcelona (3 hours 44 minutes, 21-35 EUR).

By car

If you are traveling by car from Barcelona, ​​then choose the AR-2 and AR-68 highways (3 hours 12 minutes on the road), if from Madrid - the A2 highway (3 hours 15 minutes on the road).

Prices on the page are as of September 2018.

Search for flights to Zaragoza

Weather in Zaragoza

The climate in Zaragoza is continental Mediterranean with hot summers and moderately cold winters. As a rule, local residents are only worried about Cierso - the northwest cold, dry wind. Most of the precipitation (and there is very little) occurs in the spring months. In July and August the air warms up to +40 °C, and in winter it remains stably between 0 and 10 °C.

The best time to go to Zaragoza is in the spring - from April to mid-June. July days are swelteringly hot for both tourists and locals, although in the evenings the streets are crowded: most people go into the city to have dinner or meet friends for a glass of wine or beer. In August, the city practically comes to a standstill - many go on vacation to the coast or to the mountains - and most of the restaurants, cafes and bars close.

Zaragoza Hotels

Zaragoza is a popular city among tourists, so there are quite a lot of hotels in different price categories. Most hotels are located in the center, within walking distance of key city attractions. An inexpensive three-room apartment in the center can be rented for 35-50 EUR per day for a double room; prices for four-star hotels start at 75 EUR per day. A bed in a sparsely populated hostel will cost from 15-20 EUR per day.

Please note that the buildings in the city center are predominantly old, this also applies to hotels, so most hotels do not have elevators or heating. Parking in the Old Town is also not easy: either there is none, it is far from the hotel, or it is very expensive.

Just south of the city center is the Delicias district. There are more modern buildings, more parking opportunities, accommodation prices are 15-20% lower, but you will have to walk to the main city attractions. A train station and a bus station are located in the same area.

To the west of the center are the districts of El Gancho and La Almosara, it’s a long walk to the attractions from here, but there is silence, green parks and views of the Erbo River. Hotel prices start from 25 EUR per night for a double room.

Shopping

For luxury brands in Zaragoza you can look for the streets Francisco de Vitória, San Ignacio de Laiola, Cadiz, Isaac Peral and Cadiz; more affordable shops are located on Don Jaime and Alfonso streets. On Paseo de das Damas there are many good shoe stores of local Spanish brands, the average price of a pair of shoes is 40-50 EUR. Almost all souvenir shops are concentrated in the town of Anktikvarios on the Plaza de Sant Brun.

The doors of most shops and shopping centers (Independencia, Puerta Sinegia, El Corte Inglez) are open to visitors from 10:00 to 20:00-21:00. Winter sales last from the first week of January to the end of February, and summer sales from July 1 to the end of August.

Behind the football stadium is the city's largest market, where you can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, as well as jamon, cheese, olive oil and other Spanish delicacies.

Cuisine and restaurants of Zaragoza

Zaragoza cuisine is well known throughout Spain. Be sure to try local dishes: cod with garlic and eggs (Bacalao al Ajoarriero), roasted young lamb (Ternasco Asado), eggs with asparagus sauce (Huevos al Salmorejo), chicken with ham, tomato, onion and paprika sauce (Pollo al Chilindron).

In Zaragoza, it is worth visiting the tapas bars (from the Spanish tapas - snacks). Most of them are concentrated in Casco Viejo - as the Old Town is called here. Visit Calle de los mártires and Taberna de Doña Casta - these establishments offer an excellent selection of snacks, mainly from mushrooms, eggs, cheese and ham.

If you prefer seafood dishes, then Casa de Mar on Eusebio Blasco street is a favorite bar of locals. Prices in catering establishments in Zaragoza are quite affordable. A glass of beer or wine will cost 2-3 EUR, a bottle of wine and 6-8 tapas will cost 22-25 EUR, and dinner in a good restaurant will cost about 40-50 EUR for two.

The check already includes service. However, it is customary to leave tips in bars and restaurants, hotels and taxis. The size of the tip depends on the final bill and, as a rule, is 5-10% of the total amount for the service or order.

The best photos of Zaragoza

Entertainment and attractions of Zaragoza

The best place to start exploring Zaragoza is Plaza Cesar Augusto, where the remains of an ancient fortress wall are preserved. Adjacent to this square is another one, the most famous in the city, Plaza del Pilar, where the main temple of Zaragoza is located - the Basilica of Nuestra Senora del Pilar. The basilica is decorated with 11 domes, and its walls were painted by Francisco Goya himself, one of the most famous Spanish artists and a legend of Zaragoza.

The Gothic Cathedral of San Salvador, or simply Catedral de la Seo, is a Renaissance monument built on the site of a former mosque in the 14th century. It is one of the city's main religious buildings and one of the most impressive buildings in the city. The architecture of the cathedral mixed many styles: Romanesque, Gothic, Moorish, and Baroque. Of particular note is the northwestern facade, which was built by the Mudejars (Moors who remained to live in Spain under Christian rule): it is lined with brick, multi-colored tiles and is very elegant. The cathedral houses the Tapestry Museum (Museo de Tapices).

Not far from Plaza San Pedro Nolasco you can see the ruins of the Roman theater (Teatro Romano), many of which remain in Zaragoza from the time of Arab rule. The Moors ceased to rule here in the 12th century, but until the 15th century the Arab community in Zaragoza was very influential, and its masons were true masters of their craft, so Moorish architecture was preserved here better than any other. One of the masterpieces of the Moorish style is the Aljaferia Palace, originally it was the residence of Arab rulers, but after the expulsion of the Moors from Spain, the palace was “adapted” for Catholic kings - a special throne room was created inside.

In the Old Town (“Casco Viejo”), pay attention to La Lonja - the former 16th-century stock exchange building, and today the main exhibition center.

Museums

From the northern facade of the Zaragoza Cathedral, in Piazza San Bruno), at the former pier on the Ebro, there is the Museum of the River Port, which is located directly in the ruins of the river port of the Roman era. On the other side of the cathedral are other ruins - this time, Roman public baths. There is a small Museum of Roman Baths; you can visit both museums with one ticket.

Anyone can visit Zaragoza in absentia: an interactive 3-D tour of the city will definitely inspire you to visit the capital of Aragon in person.

Average prices for entertainment in Zaragoza:

• cinema ticket - from 4 EUR to 6 EUR
• theater ticket - from 12 EUR to 30 EUR
• ticket to the opera or concert - from 50 EUR to 100 EUR

Maps of Zaragoza

Festivals

The city's main festival with performances, installations, animation and concerts is the El Pilar festival, which takes place annually during the week of October 12th. This is also the best time to watch bullfighting in Zaragoza.

Sights of Zaragoza. The most important and interesting sights of Zaragoza - photos and videos, descriptions and reviews, location, websites.

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Aljaferia

Zaragoza, Calle de los Diputados

Aljaferia Palace is a fortified medieval Moorish castle in Zaragoza, built in the second half of the 11th century. This palace was the residence of the Banu Hud dynasty during the reign of Abu Jaffar al-Muqtadir. The castle is perfectly preserved, and from it you can get an idea of ​​​​the greatness of Zaragoza.

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Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar

Zaragoza, Plaza del Pilar

The amazing Temple of Our Lady of Pilar in Zaragoza, whose four tall towers proudly soar into the sky on the river bank, is not only the central attraction of the city, but also one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Spain. It is one of the largest Baroque churches in the country.

• Zaragoza is a surprisingly interesting city. The history of thousands of years has left many traces here, and it is not surprising: after all, present-day Zaragoza was founded by the ancient Romans. Accordingly, the oldest sights of the city date back almost 2 thousand years. These are the remains of Roman walls and the ruins of an ancient forum. The excavation sites themselves and the finds discovered there are distributed among several museums: the Forum Museum, the Caesaraugusta Theater Museum, the Port Museum and the Museum of Public Baths.

  The next significant stage in the history of Zaragoza was associated with the Moorish kingdom. The first thing that reminds us of it in the city is the Aljaferia Palace - a very well-preserved fortified castle with clear features of the Muslim style in architecture. Although in fact, a specific eclectic Islamic-Christian architectural style - Mudejar - distinguishes many buildings in Zaragoza. And since over the centuries the most important of them were rebuilt many times, they look, accordingly, colorful and heterogeneous.

  Such, for example, is the Cathedral of San Salvador, or simply “Seo”, as the locals call it. The dome, bell tower and main building of the cathedral seem to be completely unrelated buildings. What cannot be said about the second most important church in Zaragoza, which also has cathedral status, is the amazing Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, which bears a pronounced Baroque imprint. The Basilica and the old stone bridge Puente de Piedra are the most memorable view of Zaragoza.

  Other notable churches in the city are the Church of San Pablo with a beautiful altar, the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, which is distinguished by its amazingly decorated tower on the outside, and the 14th-century Church of San Gil-Abad with minarets dating back to the 11th century.

  There are a lot of museums in Zaragoza to suit different tastes. For example, the main city museum combines an archaeological exhibition and an exhibition of art objects. In addition, the latter can be seen in the art museum, and among them are works by Rubens, Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Velazquez, Manet and Renoir. Also, art lovers will certainly be interested in the museums of the avant-garde sculptor Pablo Gargallo, a friend and “collaborator” of Picasso, and Pablo Serrano, another famous sculptor of a later period. You can also pay attention to the University's Museum of Paleontology, the Fire Museum with an exhibition of ancient siege weapons, or the recently opened Origami Museum.

  And the La Seo Tapestry Museum houses a unique collection of rare tapestries from the 15th to 18th centuries, one of the best in Europe.

  After immersing yourself in history, it makes sense to get acquainted with the modern appearance of Zaragoza. In recent decades, quite a lot of buildings have grown in the city that can arouse the admiration of connoisseurs of modern architecture. This is the Zaragoza Auditorium, the main railway station, the World Trade Center, the building of the Serrano Museum. And the most famous of all of them, perhaps, is the exhibition site, which remained in the city after the Expo 2008 exhibition. The local objects: the translucent skyscraper Water Tower, the unique pavilion-bridge in which the cultural center is open, the Spanish and Aragonese pavilions - look very specific and even cosmic.

  You can relax after a busy day in one of the parks, the most beautiful of which, Primo de Rivera, is located right in the city center.

  There are landscaped gardens here, very close in design to Italian designs. At the top of a hill in the park stands a giant statue of Jaime the Conqueror, one of the kings of Aragon. Under the statue there is a very beautiful cascading fountain, which is amazingly illuminated at night. At the foot of the hill is another large round fountain surrounded by flower beds, rose bushes, benches and evergreen, neatly trimmed hedges.

An amazing city of Moorish palaces and medieval monasteries is comfortably located near the Ebro River, surrounded by picturesque landscapes. It does not have the external shine and mad rush of Madrid, the liveliness of Barcelona, ​​or the imposing condescension. Zaragoza captivates with the unhurried passage of time, solidity, and commitment to tradition. Tourists are provided with a wide selection of excursions to suit every taste.

Climate Features

The city is located in a zone of cold semi-arid climate. Many residents joke that they can survive anywhere on the planet, since winters are cold with frequent frosts, and summers are very hot and dry. The Gallego and Huerva rivers flow through the territory, but their waters do not bring the expected coolness, and rain is very rarely seen here.

Please note! In summer, the city streets become sparsely populated, residents tend to escape the heat to the sea or to the mountains, and cultural life almost comes to a standstill.

The best time for tourist trips is the off-season, which is from April to June and early autumn to mid-October. At this time, the weather is relatively warm without stifling heat, the winds almost subside and do not interfere with enjoying walks along the ancient streets and squares of the city.

The main attractions of Zaragoza

A city with a history of 2000 years preserves the memory of past centuries and events in the form of ruins of the Roman era, austere medieval temples and monasteries, luxurious palaces, and magnificent paintings by famous painters.

The first mention of the city dates back to 24 BC. It was a colony of Emperor Augustus, hence the name of the settlement. It developed quickly and became the cultural center of the valley. Later it was part of the Cordoba Caliphate, by the 12th century it became the capital of Aragon and acquired significant political influence. By the 15th century, the city became part of Spain and lost its leading importance in the political arena. Modern Zaragoza is a major industrial and cultural center of the country, ranking 5th among the cities of Spain. The attractions of Zaragoza attract a large number of tourists every year.

East and West in the sights of Zaragoza

Historically, the city managed to be ruled by caliphs and kings. This left a noticeable imprint on the architecture and layout of the historical part of the city. All major tourist sites are located in and around Plaza del Pilar. Most of the outings and sightseeing tours around the city start from here. For convenience, it is worth taking a booklet on the road, which contains photos with descriptions and names of Zaragoza attractions in several languages. Russian tourists are increasingly choosing Spain as their holiday destination, so the Russian language is beginning to gain importance when conducting excursions and serving guests in hotels and restaurants.

The list of things you should definitely see in Zaragoza includes the most interesting architectural and historical monuments, museums, and art galleries. Moreover, the eastern and western directions of art and architecture are equally represented.

Pilar Square or Cathedral Square

It becomes the main point of tourist visits. Along its perimeter there are 2 cathedrals and the Fuente de la Hispanidad fountain. It is known that in the Middle Ages there was a cemetery on the territory of the modern square, then the city began to grow, absorbing the suburbs, and the former outskirts became the center.

One of the largest and most populous cities in Spain - Zaragoza - is not known to all tourists, but among the inhabitants of the country this city bears the glory of one of the most beautiful and ancient. And not in vain, because almost every building and structure in Zaragoza is a kind of monument, an architectural masterpiece, an unusual landmark reflecting the features of many eras.

Zaragoza is a unique city that contains the culture of several countries and eras. When traveling around Spain, you should definitely visit this city - you can get to it from Barcelona or Madrid by any type of transport: plane, train, bus or car.

Those who have been to Zaragoza remember other cities that resemble the atmosphere. , and , really complement the picture of ancient streets and the spirit of the city going back centuries.

The Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar is not just a sacred temple and the main attraction of the city, but also an important historical and architectural monument of Spain. The temple is the largest in Zaragoza and one of the largest and most beautiful in all of Spain. Every year, a huge number of tourists make a pilgrimage to these places - only Santiago de Compostella is a more popular destination in Spain.

The temple was built in honor of the Virgin Mary and is considered the first in the world dedicated to her. According to legend, more than two thousand years ago, on the banks of the Ebro River, the Mother of God appeared to a praying saint with instructions to build a church on this place. Soon her instructions were carried out. The temple went through many events, several destructions and reconstructions, which left their mark on its architecture and design elements.

Every autumn, on October 12, the city hosts a large-scale festival dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This period is called a fiesta and lasts 9 days, filling the streets of the city with fresh flowers, musicians, street actors and dancers

In the period before the fiesta in honor of Our Lady of Pilar, it is worth booking hotel rooms in advance, because the number of tourists staying these days is simply off the charts.

Address: Plaza del Pilar, s/n

Operating mode: Tue - Sun - from 7:00 to 20:30

Price: for free.

Aljaferia Palace is a unique historical monument, one of the few buildings that has survived from the times of Muslim rule. It was built in the 11th century as a residence for Muslim rulers. The architecture of the palace surprisingly combines elements of two different cultures - Arab and European.

In past times, the palace served as a fortress, which left its mark on its appearance - thick and durable walls give it a harsh look. You can get inside only through one entrance - it leads to the internal buildings and courtyards of the castle. Most of the area is occupied by green spaces and tangerine trees, which surround the halls located inside.

The most beautiful rooms are located in the northern part of the castle - the Golden Hall, the mosque, the chapel, and the royal chambers. Each of the halls will be of interest to tourists, as they present an amazingly luxurious and rich spectacle.

The history of Zaragoza is such that many of the historical monuments preserved in it reflect elements of culture that are completely different from those familiar to the West. La Seo Cathedral is no exception - it was originally built by Arab conquerors as a mosque and has retained some of this architecture to this day. Another name for the cathedral is San Salvador. It houses a local shrine - the grave of Archbishop Oscar Romero, killed during the civil war.

The appearance of the cathedral amazes and attracts tourists, but the real spectacle awaits them inside the building: vaulted ceilings, walls decorated with gold and painted with frescoes, and sculptures on which outstanding masters once worked. In general, the architectural style of the cathedral, like many buildings from medieval times, is a mixture of several elements. This includes Baroque, Classicism, Gothic and Romanesque styles.

Zaragoza is one of the few cities in which the competition between two cathedrals for the title of cathedral led to the assignment of this status to both churches. The Cathedral of La Seo shares this title with the Cathedral of Del Pilar.

Address: Plaza de la Seo, 4

A small town on the outskirts of Zaragoza, Daroca, with a population of just over 2,000 people, allows tourists to immerse themselves in ancient times for at least a few hours and take a break from the bustle of Zaragoza. The city is also part of the Moorish heritage, and there are ruins around it that were once huge, powerful fortification walls. The roofs of the city and its location fit into the surrounding landscape so much that it is difficult to distinguish them from the surrounding area.

The city is ideal for tourist walks, relaxing holidays and enjoying historical monuments. There are very few permanent residents (mostly they come here only for one season), so Daroka is a quiet and peaceful place, devoid of bustle and noise.

Along the narrow streets of the city you can browse the many sweet shops where this type of industry thrives, as well as visit a beautiful Gothic church and several restaurants serving unusual local dishes.

A beautiful love story is also connected with the city: according to legend, the ghost of a beautiful girl, once thrown into a well by a jealous husband, still wanders its streets.

Since Zaragoza is located near the Ebro River, the bridge connecting its two banks and located in the center is an important part of the city. There are pedestrian paths and tram tracks on it, and from the bridge to the main attractions of the city it is just a stone's throw away.

The significance of the bridge is also due to the fact that many historical events took place on it - this makes the bridge a pride and important asset of the city. The idea to build it arose at the beginning of the 12th century, as it was important for establishing trade and economic ties with other countries and cities. However, all the bridges that were built were destroyed over time: by floods and wars, and only the stone bridge has survived to this day. Thanks to him, the city continued to be supplied with food, water, various goods and maintain economic relations with other cities.

The second name of the bridge is Lion. This is due to the fact that on each of its sides there are sculptures of the city’s symbols – lions – on the columns. The sculptures are made of bronze and were made in 1991.

Address: Puente de Piedra

The city of Zaragoza was originally founded as a Roman city and was named after the ruler Augustus. Some elements of the Roman style have survived to this day - these are the remains of those buildings and structures that were built several centuries BC.

The ruins of the Roman forum were discovered during excavations and were united as a kind of museum, which everyone can visit. The museum consists of several parts: a forum, a theater, a port and a thermal bath. Of course, nothing has survived in its original form, but next to each object there is a picture or photograph depicting exactly what this or that object looked like in ancient times.

The museum presents unusual exhibits: there is a model of the Roman forum, approximate examples of dishes of those times, water pipes, a sewerage system with a demonstration of the principle of its operation, and much more.

Address: C/ San Jorge 12

On the territory of the La Seo Cathedral there is another amazing attraction of the city of Zaragoza - the Tapestry Museum. As the name implies, the main part of the museum’s exhibits are finely crafted carpets (tapestry), made mainly by Flemish craftsmen.

Most of the exhibits are huge in size and well preserved, despite the fact that they were made several centuries ago. The main time period for the production of all the tapestries presented is the 15th-18th centuries. Tourists are impressed by these works: it’s hard to believe that they were all made by hand, without the use of modern equipment. The collection of this museum is one of the largest and rarest in the world.

In addition to tapestries, the museum has many other exhibits. These are mainly objects of art with religious themes, as well as beautiful jewelry and sculptures.

Address: Plaza de la Seo, 4

In 1991, in honor of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America, a beautiful symbolic waterfall appeared in Zaragoza. It is a split niche into which streams of water flow. The peculiarity of the waterfall is that the niche symbolizes Latin America - it is made in the form of a map of the continent.

Next to the fountain is a stone sculpture depicting a globe, as well as three large marble slabs. Each of the plates is the ship of Christopher Columbus, on which he reached the shores of America.

Address: Plaza Nuestra Señ ora del Pilar

The Trade Exchange is another large historical building dating back to the 16th century. At the time of its construction, it was the largest construction project not only in the city, but throughout the entire district. Initially, the exchange was used for trading purposes, but now it only reminds of former times with the beauty of its architecture and is a venue for many exhibitions. It mainly displays photographs and other artistic works. You can visit such an exhibition every Sunday - it will be completely free.

Externally, the building is divided into floors, but the interior design is slightly different. It is a huge hall, which is divided by large ribbon columns. Gradually these columns turn into an arched vault.

Zaragoza is an amazing city that, due to its historical features, combines elements of opposing cultures - Western and Eastern. Many of the city's main monuments also contain a similar architectural mixture of styles, making them unusual and interesting for tourists.

Many of the most beautiful and historically valuable objects are located in the city center, so almost all the sights can be seen one after another - the stone bridge, cathedrals and temples, museums and fountains.