Zaragoza: where the sights of the East meet the West. Zaragoza: where the sights of the East meet the West Cathedral of San Salvador in Zaragoza

December 19th, 2011 , 01:49 am

In the afternoon we arrived in Zaragoza - the 5th largest city in Spain. The population of Zaragoza is about 700 thousand people. The city is located in the middle reaches of the Ebro River. The origin of the river's name is associated with the Iberians, the ancient people of the region. Iberia is the Roman name for Spain...

Ebro river

The length of the river is 928 km, navigation is possible only at short distances below Zaragoza.
As you can see, the water in the Ebro is crystal clear and transparent.

Ebro river

They have been trying to build a bridge over the Ebro River in Zaragoza since the 12th century. In 1401-40. The stone bridge was erected under the leadership of Gil de Menestral. The flood of 1643 destroyed two central spans of the bridge. How the bridge looked after this can be seen in the painting “View of Zaragoza” by Martinez del Maso, painted in 1647. In 1659, the bridge was restored, and the architect Felipe de Busignac managed to completely restore the two destroyed towers and expand the cutwaters.

The stone bridge is also called the Lion's Bridge, as there are four lions on columns on both sides of the bridge. The lions mounted on the columns were cast in bronze in 1991 by sculptor Francisco Rayo Lajos (1924-2007).

Lions

From the bridge you can see the visiting card of Zaragoza - the Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar.

Stone Bridge (Puente de Piedra)

The Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar is a grandiose building. Ten colored domes rise above it, a huge central dome, and four towers frame the building. R The dimensions of the temple are 130 by 65 m.

The cathedral was erected in memory of the miraculous vision of the Mother of God to Saint James in 40. The Apostle was then preaching in Spain, and the Mother of God appeared to him and presented a small statue of herself on a jasper column (pilar).
Soon a chapel was built on this site.

Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar (Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar)

Well, in its modern Baroque form, the basilica was built in 1681-86.
During the Civil War, 3 bombs fell on the cathedral, but none of them exploded. Two shells are still symbolically kept inside the basilica.

Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar (Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar)

Alexei liked the way Aunt Galya pronounced the word “pilar” with a Spanish accent so much that from that day on he began calling all churches “pilars.”

Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar (Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar)

In 2007, a selection of 12 treasures of Spain took place on the Internet, and the basilica was included in this honorable list.

Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar (Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar)

Unfortunately, photography is prohibited inside - I managed to take one photo and put my camera away. However, many of the groupmates continued to calmly take photographs, despite the guide’s remark. This is perhaps the only negative from our group, which overall I liked.
There really is something to see inside. Some of the vaults were painted by Francisco Goya.

Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar (Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar)

The city council of Zaragoza is based in the town hall, next to the Basilica of Pilar.

Town Hall (Casa Consistorial)

The entrance is framed by original sculptures.

Town Hall (Casa Consistorial)

During our stay, Spain was choosing a city that would be the European Capital of Culture 2016. Among the candidates was Zaragoza. I’ll tell you more about the competition in a post about the winning city. By the way, we will find ourselves in this city the very next day.

Zaragoza

Plaza Pilar is the main square of the city. It appeared back in the 16th century.
Until recently there were trees and a garden. But in 1980, it was decided to build an underground parking lot and almost all the vegetation was removed from the area.

The latest changes have been made to the western part of the square. For the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America, the Hispanidad Falls and the globe in front of it were erected.

Plaza del Pilar

Hispanidad is a community of Spanish-speaking countries. It traditionally includes 23 countries with a population of about 400 million.
The waterfall fountain was made in 1991. Water flows from above into a split niche, symbolizing Latin America.

Behind the fountain is the Church of St. John Panetes. It was built in 1725 in the Baroque style.
The 8-sided tower of the church has a slight slope.

Fountain of Hispanidad

Pilar Square is considered one of the largest pedestrian squares in Europe.

Plaza del Pilar

The square is used during holidays and concerts. It is also often chosen by strikers for their protests.

Plaza del Pilar

In the eastern part of the square there is a monument to Francisco Goya (1746-1828). The artist was born in the town of Fuendetodos, 44 km from Zaragoza. Goya spent a significant part of his life in Zaragoza.
The author of the monument is sculptor Frederic Mares (1893-1991).

Francisco Goya

Behind the Goya monument is the Cathedral of the Savior. It is also simply called La Seo.
During Muslim times there was a mosque here. After the expulsion of the Moors in 1118, construction of a Christian temple began.

The cathedral includes several architectural styles. So the bell tower was erected in the Baroque style in 1683-86. under the direction of the Italian architect Giovanni Battista Contini (1641-1723). Well, the neoclassical facade was completed in 1763-67.

Cathedral of the Savior (Catedral del Salvador)

The city has more than 2 thousand years of history. It was founded in 14 BC. called Caezaraugusta in honor of Caesar Augustus. Over time, the name transformed into Zaragoza.

Alfonso I Street (Calle de Alfonso I)

Well, fans of the New Nosovsky-Fomenko chronology know that Zaragoza is an original Russian city, for Zaragoza = Tsar's Guzes = Tsar's Cossacks. Everything is obvious and elementary.

Cafe Zaragoza

In 1985, a museum of the sculptor Pablo Gargallo (1881-1934) was opened in Zaragoza. He spent most of his life in Barcelona and Paris, but was born in the province of Zaragoza, in the town of Maella.
One of his works, “The Eagle Shepherd,” is installed in the city center. The poor shepherd barely fights off the eagle and does not at all expect the dog to attack from below.

"The Eagle Shepherd" (El pastor del aguila)

The city has a football team, Real Zaragoza. Their stadium, Romareda, is located in the southern part of the city.
Zaragoza has never been a national champion; its best result was 2nd place (1975). But they won the Spanish Cup 6 times. Zaragoza's main success took place a long time ago - in 1995 they won the Cup Winners' Cup. Moreover, this victory against London's Arsenal was achieved with a curious goal. Regular time ended 1-1, and there were no goals in the added 30 minutes, but in the 121st minute Zaragoza player M. Nayeem scored the ball from the center of the field into D. Seaman's goal.

Calle del Coso

Zaragoza is the capital of the province of the same name. The provincial government has adapted the former palace of Count Sostago for itself. This building was built back in 1570-74.
The flag of the province is the St. George's Cross with a coat of arms. St. George is the patron saint of this region.

Sostago Palace

The province itself is part of the autonomy of Aragon. The population of Aragon is about 1.3 million people. Thus, more than half of the population of the autonomy lives in Zaragoza.
It's +28 outside. This is probably the average temperature during our Spanish tour.

The central place in the Plaza de España is occupied by the monument to the martyrs of religion and homeland. The monument was erected in 1904 in honor of 18 Christian martyrs of the 4th century. and defenders of Zaragoza from the Napoleonic conquest of 1808-09. The author of the work is the architect Ricardo Magdalena (1849-1910).
At the top of the monument is an angel with a cross, and at the foot is a female figure personifying Zaragoza.

Plaza de Espana

The lion is the hyraldic symbol of the city. It is present on both the flag and the coat of arms.

Pharmacy

Zaragoza-born Eduardo Jimeno Correas (1869-1947) was a pioneer of Spanish cinema.

Eduardo Jimeno Correas

Another important personality is the engineer Manuel Lorenzo Pardo (1881-1953). His main achievement was the construction of the Zaragoza dam and the creation of the Ebro reservoir. It is symbolic that the bust is installed in a niche with water.

Manuel Lorenzo Pardo

In Zaragoza they didn’t forget about ordinary horses.

Pony

There is also the work of Briton Tony Cragg in the city. I first encountered his work in winter in Austria. But if in Salzburg I still couldn’t figure out what exactly the sculptor depicted, here a human profile is clearly visible.

"Wild Relativity" (T. Cragg)

The main treasure of the Moorish period in Zaragoza is the Aljaferia Palace. Now here are the Cortes (parliament) and the legislative chamber of Aragon.

After the collapse of the Cordoba Caliphate, several independent small states arose, one of them was the Taifa of Zaragoza. The last ruler of Moorish Zaragoza, Abd al-Malik Imad ad-Daula, abdicated power and recognized the supremacy of Alfonso I of Aragon in 1118.

Aljaferia Palace

The oldest part of the fortress is the Troubadour Tower. Its two lower floors were built in the 9th century, and it was completed in the 10th century. The tower received its name much later - in the 19th century, when the Spaniard Antonio García Gutierrez wrote the drama “Troubadour”, which took place in Aljafería. Well, we know it better from the opera created by Giuseppe Verdi in 1853.

Trovador Tower (Torre del Trovador)

The palace had its own mosque. In the southeastern part there is a mihrab, a niche indicating the direction of Mecca.

Mosque portal

The premises of the fortress, decorated in the Moorish style, were converted into a palace for the Catholic kings in 1492. A polychrome panel has been preserved on the ceiling.

Aljaferia Palace

Perhaps the most beautiful place in the fortress is the courtyard of St. Isabella. It is named in honor of the Infanta of Aragon, Isabella of Portugal (1271-1336).
In fine art, Isabella's attribute is a rose. According to legend, the king forbade Isabella to give alms to the poor. Once the queen was carrying bread in her lap to give it to the poor, but on the way she met her husband. "What's there?" - he asked. The saint remembered his ban and lied: “Roses.” “Show me!” - ordered the husband. Isabella unfolded the hem, and a miracle happened - there really were roses there. Keogh and Copperfield would be jealous.

During the war with Napoleonic troops, Aljaferia was damaged. The most famous work about the city is also associated with the siege of Zaragoza by the French. This is "The Manuscript Found in Zaragoza", an unfinished novel by the Polish aristocrat Jan Potocki (1761-1815). Jan began writing the novel back in 1797 and published chapters until his strange suicide, when he shot himself with a silver ball from a sugar bowl.

Patio de Santa Isabel

We stayed overnight at a hotel near the new station. I will tell you about this modern area when we are in Zaragoza for the second time.

The city was founded in 24 BC. by the Romans and until 380 AD. bore the status of a colony of Caesaraugusta, from which the modern name came.

Zaragoza is the capital autonomy of Aragon in Spain and a relatively large city in comparison with other settlements in the region. For 2012 in it officially 670,000 people lived there, as well as up to thirty thousand illegal immigrants. On today Zaragoza is fifth largest city in Spain. He is located at an altitude of about 200 meters above sea level and approximately halfway between Barcelona and Madrid. However, in essence it is a calm provincial town, with its ancient history, hospitable people and well-developed infrastructure.

The beautiful city of Zaragoza however does not have as many attractions as Madrid, Barcelona or Valencia. Of course, there are ancient buildings here; as a result of constantly ongoing excavations, more and more new artifacts are being discovered, but, unfortunately, this does not have the desired effect on the number of visitors to the city.

Business Zaragoza

Zaragoza is serious industrial center of Spain with branches of the largest European companies. Modern architecture can also be found in the city. Here in 2008, from June 14 to September 14, the world exhibition EXPO 2008 was held, dedicated to the topic of water and its shortage on the planet. For this event, a gigantic complex with many interesting buildings was built in Zaragoza and a funicular was installed. Having driven it, you can see the entire complex from above in half an hour and appreciate the architectural thought of its creators. This creates their pleasant, rhythmic, simple life, in which each year is similar to the previous one.

Ordinary people of Zaragoza

Nice people live in Zaragoza, not spoiled by the resort atmosphere of the coast. For the most part, residents are involved in the work of local heavy industry enterprises, work according to a work schedule, receive salaries and visit shopping centers with their children on weekends. This is what creates their pleasant, rhythmic, monotonous routine from year to year. Restaurants have low prices with good quality food, and shops provide a sufficient modern range of basic goods at an appropriate price. This is a good city for a measured, quiet middle-class life for people who do not intend to conquer the world and become tycoons of European business in the near future.

Old town and excursions in Zaragoza

The historical part of Zaragoza is small, like the whole city. You can get around the historical monuments and see the sights in an hour and a half. For more, it will take about two days.

The Ebra River flows through the city, which later, already on the territory of Catalonia, will spill into a wide delta, providing moisture for the world-famous protected lands there. From the point of view of a city visitor looking for entertainment and spectacle, it will be difficult to find something to do in Zaragoza for more than two days. Although, if you decide to hide from world popularity and quietly grow old in the Spanish province, getting a job as a manager at a nearby plant where low-budget Opel car models are assembled, then Zaragoza - perfect place.

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. The train station and 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 have been 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.

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 due 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 historical 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.

The capital of the Spanish autonomous region of Aragon and the province of Zaragoza, the city of Zaragoza is located in the Ebro Valley, where the Huerva and Gallego streams connect. The area in which it is located is distinguished by a variety of natural areas - from high mountains and green forests to the fields and desert of Los Monegros.

The capital of Aragon has approximately 700,000 inhabitants. Zaragoza is an important transport hub - several state highways intersect here. The city is located at the same distance from Valencia and Toulouse.

The climate here is hot, continental. Summer is sunny and dry; Most precipitation falls in winter. In cold weather, fogs are common, the predominant wind direction is northwest (Cierzo).

Sights of Zaragoza

In the 2nd century BC. e. A Celtiberian settlement was located along the banks of the Ebro. Later, the Carthaginians founded a military camp in this place. The Romans came here in 24 BC. e. The Roman colony of Caesaraugusta became part of the province of Near Spain within the Roman Empire. Caesaraugusta was a thriving city.

At the beginning of the 8th century, Zaragoza was conquered by the Arab army. Musa Ibn Nusair. The city was named Medinat Saragusta. It was surrounded by a fortress wall made of white stone (hence the name “white city”). During the years of Moorish rule, Medinat Zaragusta reached its peak and could be compared with Merida, Cordoba and Toledo. (It was later included in the Cordoba Caliphate and was considered the largest and most powerful Arab city in the Spanish North.)

When the Cordoba Caliphate fell, numerous small states were formed in its former territories. They were called "taifas". Among these “taifas” was Zaragoza from 1018 to 1118.

The Moors were expelled from Zaragoza by the king Alfonso I of Aragon. Since 1118, the city became the capital of the Aragonese kingdom.

Ferdinand II- The Aragonese king - in 1469 married the Queen of Leona from Castile - Isabella. Their lands united, and Madrid became the capital. Zaragoza's privileges were lost.

In 1808-09. Zaragoza resisted the siege of Napoleon's army for two months. Residents throughout Europe knew about the courageous resistance of the city’s defenders. Zaragoza was awarded the title "Always Heroic"; the highest award of the Spanish kings appeared on its military banner. More than 55 thousand inhabitants died during the siege. The monument to the brave Zaragoza citizens was erected on Plaza de España. (The monument is made in the form of a tower, on top of which stands an angel holding a wounded Aragonese in his arms.)

In the 20th century Plants and factories began to be built intensively. The population has increased. Today, in Zaragoza and its suburbs there are many enterprises in various industries (agriculture and mechanical engineering, woodworking and food, chemical industries). In 1982, a branch of General Motors Opel was opened. Subsequently, other subsidiaries of foreign companies appeared here: CAF (railway locomotives); Balay (household appliances). With the local agricultural sector stagnating, foreign enterprises have become the economic backbone of the region.

Zaragoza is a university city. opened back in 1542. This is one of the oldest educational institutions in Spain - more than 40,000 students study there. A research center has been opened at the university.

Most of Zaragoza's attractions are located in the city center, which stretches along the banks of the Ebro. The layout of this part of the territory has been preserved since the reign of the Romans. Here it is Plaza del Pilar (Plaza del Pilar)- a beautiful old square. It contains several architectural masterpieces: Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar (Catedral-Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar) (XVII century), courthouse tower — Torreon de la Suda ( Torreón de La Zuda) (XV century) and the Cathedral of Salvador (Catedral del Salvador (La Seo)).

The entire history of Zaragoza is closely connected with the development of Spanish Christianity. The Cathedral of San Salvador was built on the site of a former Arab mosque in 1541-51. The architecture of this temple is an example of early Spanish Gothic of the 16th century.

Zaragoza has more than two hundred palaces built in the 16th century. and earlier. The most interesting from a historical perspective are considered palaces of Los Condes de Argillo (Palacio de los Condes de Argillo) And Los Condes Sastago. The most outstanding architectural monument is Moorish Aljaferia Palace(XI century). The palace was a residence for some time Pedro I.

The Church of Nuestra Señora del Pilar has become a symbol of the city. In Zaragoza, the Holy Virgin Mary appeared to the people on a marble column. At the site of a divine miracle, which dates back to 40 BC. e., a memorial pillar was laid. The first Christians erected a chapel there, and construction of the basilica began in 1681. On October 12, throughout Spain they celebrate the feast of the appearance of the Holy Virgin - Las Fiestas del Pillar. It coincides with another event - the day Columbus discovered America (1492).

Columbus Feast is called Happy Spanish Day and is celebrated in many Spanish-speaking countries. In Zaragoza this action lasts 9 days. Mass celebrations with folk dancing, bullfighting and theatrical performances take place on the city streets. At night, the streets are lit up with light and sound shows and fireworks. The ritual of offering flowers to the Holy Virgin becomes the culmination of a multi-day holiday.