In northern Spain you will find the immortal city of Zaragoza, a welcoming, dynamic metropolis that has borne witness to more than 2,000 years of history. It hosted Expo 2008 and now looks forward to its future with great enthusiasm. Zaragoza is a crossroads of civilisations and awaits you with a stunning array of heritage monuments in the form of city walls, churches, basilicas, palaces, stately houses… All of which can be admired as you stroll along its historic streets.
Zaragoza , the capital city of Aragón province, stands on the banks of the Ebro River. Its streets and small squares conceal a splendid array of monumental architecture. Strategically located mid-way between Madrid and Barcelona, to stroll through the old quarter of the city is to rediscover history.
Romans, Muslims, Jews and Christians have all left their mark on the city. One can easily appreciate this melting pot of cultures by visiting some of the many monuments, such as La Aliafería, one of the most important Moorish palaces in all of Spain; the Seo, which encompasses a large part of Aragon’s history; or any of the numerous Mudejar and Baroque-style temples and towers that enhance the city centre.
Its narrow, cobbled streets form a seemingly haphazard layout as they wind their way between defensive walls and Roman baths; archways and palaces, mostly built between the 16th and 17th centuries, such as La Lonja; spectacular churches displaying numerous architectural styles and small, hidden squares that emanate mystery and evoke the glorious past of bygone days. The oldest part of the city is a veritable treasure trove of architectural wonders, but the grandest and most significant must surely be the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, the great Baroque temple that symbolizes Zaragoza and houses many priceless works of art.
During your tour of the Aragon capital city, you simply cannot afford to miss the numerous paintings that the great Francisco de Goya left at different sites around the city as a permanent legacy from the initial stages of his artistic career.
In Zaragoza’s more modern suburbs you can find impressive avenues and boulevards, gardened areas and wide streets lined with large buildings and monuments, many of which were built during the late 19th and early 20th century. Shops, bars and taverns, a lively atmosphere all day long and the friendly nature of the locals ensure that your stay in Zaragoza will be a truly memorable experience.
