A Guide to Zaragoza in Aragon, Spain

Spain’s most water-bearing river, in an impressive landscape with picturesque villages and very old traditions and popular customs.

Zaragoza is one of the great monumental towns in Spain. It was founded some 2000 years ago, and Old-Iberians, Romans, Goths and Arabians equally left their heritage. Zaragoza as well includes important buildings of Spanish Baroque. Today the town is economically very active and organizes several important international fairs.

Places of interest in Zaragoza

Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar

This church is one of the most visited places of pilgrimage in all Spain, consecrated to the ‘Holy Virgin of Pilar’, patroness not only of this town but of all Spanish-speaking countries. So the annual celebrations to the ‘Day of Pilar’ on October 12th are of great importance.

This baroque building of 1681 is flanked by four towers. Some parts, such as the neoclassical main-facade, were added in later periods. In its interior, the wall-paintings in the cupola, works of Goya and Bayeau, are of particular interest.

In the church’s museum, you can see a large collection mainly of religious arts.

La Lonja

“La Lonja”, the old stock exchange building, is a great Renaissance monument of 1541. Today it is used frequently for exhibitions.

La Audiencia

Located in the street of Conde de Aranda, it was built in 1551 and served as residence to the Counts of Morata. It is considered one of the most beautiful palaces in Aragon.

Palacio de Argillo

Palacio de Argillo, at Plaza de San Felipe, is of the 17th century and has elements of Gothic and Renaissance styles. In its interior, you may visit the museum of Pablo Gargallo.

The Palace of the Counts of Sastago

Worth a visit especially for its beautiful Renaissance courtyard. It is frequently used for expositions. The Patio de la Infanta, today the main seat of a bank, has a great Renaissance courtyard too.

Palacio de la Aljaferia

This splendid King’s palace of the 11th century is one of very few remaining Moorish buildings of the dynasty ‘Taifas’. The mosque with its minaret and the Torre del Trovador, a fortified tower, still remain from the original construction.

Some other parts with rich Mudejar-style ornaments were added in the Christian epoch. The Throne Hall, in particular, is remarkable.

Torreon de Zuda

The ‘Tower of Zuda’, the only lasting remains of a 10th-century Moorish palace.

The Roman Town-Walls

The remains of a 3rd-century Roman fortification are a well-known landmark in Zaragoza. Close to the Tower of Zuda and to the church Iglesia de la Magdalena, alongside the Ebro river, you can find parts of the fortification still in a good state of conservation

Catedral de la Seo

This gothic cathedral, with parts, later added in neoclassical, baroque and plateresque styles was built in the 14th century, over an older Romanesque temple. In its interior, which consists of five naves with lateral chapels, the main-altar with splendid reliefs and the Mudejar-style apse are truly remarkable.

Among the lateral chapels, which are extremely valuable from an artistical point of view, the Capilla de Don Lope de Luna, of the 14th century, is outstanding.

The “Central Market” is an outstanding example of modernist architecture. Its metal-construction was influenced by the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The building is located at Plaza de Lanuza and is also known as ‘Mercado de Lanuza’.

Arco de Dean

A beautiful gothic arch, typical for the ambience of Zaragoza’s historical center.

The Museo Provincial

Located at Plaza Sitios, 6, it was made in 1909 for a Spanish-French exposition. Most interesting are some prehistorical objects and great paintings, among others of Goya.

Museum Camon Aznar

Located in Espoz y Mina, 23 in a great Renaissance building, Palacio de Los Pardo, it showcases a valuable private collection of paintings, sculptures and ceramics.

Museum Pablo Gargallo

Located in the Palacio de Argillo and has an important collection of contemporary sculptures.

Seo del Salvador

Located at Plaza de la Seo, originally a Moorish mosque and later on transformed to be a Christian church. It was modified several times and so consists of elements of Romanesque, Gothic, Plateresque and Mudejar styles.

The Church of Santa Engracia

Boats an extraordinarily beautiful plateresque facade. In its crypt, there are relics of martyrs. Close to it, there is the town-gate Puerta del Carmen, built in 1789 in neoclassical style.