Tourist information - Zaragoza
What was in the Middle Ages the capital of the Kingdom of Aragon incorporates a rich heritage of monuments mingling the influences of the different cultures which have existed there. Medieval streets along with broad frenchified avenues make up a city with an open along with cosmopolitan atmosphere. Cultural wealth that, when speaking of cuisine, transforms itself into mouth-watering recipes. Zaragoza also is a great place to start for visiting landscapes such as the Moncayo Natural Park, or even touring historical towns like Ejea de los Caballeros and Sos del Rey Católico.
The former Iberian Salduba, Roman Caesaraugusta and also Arab Sarakosta has one of its nerve centres around the Plaza del Pilar. Here, around the banks of the River Ebro, stands the greatest centres of the Marian cult in Spain. The Baroque structure of the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar stands above a modern square. Outside, its four towers along with a huge coloured roof stand out. Inside, the Great Reredos, made in alabaster; the image of the venerated Viren del Pilar, created by Ventura Rodríguez; and also the paintings by Francisco de Goya, made at the domes, attract the attention. The Pilar Museum preserves the Virgin's different crowns as well as mantles, which are changed nearly all day. A very special one is the one made out of flowers over the day of the patron of Zaragoza, 12 October, the Spanish national day.
This example of Aragonese Baroqueis found among the Roman walls, the City Hall and also the Merchants' Exchange . The exchange is the most important 16th-century civil buildings in Aragon, where you can appreciate slim pillasters along with groined vaults. And also its functions as being a museum, it houses remains of the Roman forum. Beside it stands the slim tower of La Seo, the Cathedral of San Salvador. Developed within the site of the Great Mosque, the Muro de la Parroquieta is the high points of Zaragoza Mudejar. Inside, a 16th-century reredos is the key point..
In these surroundings you'll also find the Dean's Arch along with the Armijo Palace, seat of the "Justicia de Aragón", an institution that has pioneered the protection of citizen's rights since the Middle Ages. It is as well really worth visiting Renaissance palaces like that of the Pardos, today the Camón Aznar museum, and that of Monternuzo, home of the Newspaper Archive along with Municipal Archive; along with those of Donlope as well as the Marquises of Huarte. Within the Calle Mayor you should also visit the church of La Magdalena, whose Mudejar tower (16th C.) is one of the city's most representative features.
Another attention-grabbing area is the one that lies across the Roman walls. Beside the bridges that cross the Ebro, you will discover the Zuda Tower, a former Arab palace. At this point you can contrast it with the Modernist architecture of the nearby Central Market. The tour can continue at the museum dedicated to the Aragonese sculptor Pablo Gargallo, the Fortea Tower as well as the church of San Pablo.
To take the pulse of this great city proceed towards the Aljafería across the Calle Conde de Aranda, which runs parallel to the Ebro. Here you'll find Zaragoza's modernist architecture, exemplified by the Casa Molins as well as the Mercantil Casino. Along with, when you have almost reached your goal, there's the monument to Agustina de Aragón, by Mariano Benlliure, set at the key points of the defence of Zaragoza in the War of Independence. The Aljafería palace, today the seat of the Aragonese Cortes (Parliament) was constructed by the Arabs in the 11th century as being a place for recreation and also it is considered as an artistic step among the Mosque at Córdoba and also the Alhambra in Granada.
Great frenchified avenues lead you to the Paseo de la Independencia as well as the Plaza de Aragón. In this area you can visit the Basilica of Santa Engracia, the Post Office, the Courtyard of the Infanta along with the Palaeontology museumIn a metres you will have the chance to see attractive examples of the Renaissance along with Neomudejar styles, paintings by Goya along with an interesting museum collection in the Former Medicine and Science faculty respectively.
A few streets away is the Plaza de los Sitios, which houses an interesting Modernist monument; and the Museum of Archaeology along with Fine Arts, where also you can get to know other works by Goya.
From the Aragonese capital you could tour the entire province of Zaragoza using different routes. To the north of the city, Romanesque churches, medieval castles along with palatial country houses make up the Five Towns route, although actually there are rather more of them than that. The outstanding ones are Ejea de los Caballeros, Casiliscar, Uncastillo as well as Sos del Rey Católico. Here, where Fernando el Católico (Ferdinand the Catholic) was born, there also is an excellent Parador de Turismo to add to its interesting attractions.
To the west lies the county of Moncayo along with the Natural Park with the same name. Among oaks as well as beeches you will see attention-grabbing places like Pedrola, Gallur and also Borja. Tarazona, National Historical Site; and the Monastery of Veruela, a National Monument, complete the key points on this route, where you can visit some good examples of Aragonese Mudejar. Also essential are the towns which sprang up across the Río Jalón, a county whose most top city is Calatayud. Its five Arab castles as well as Goya paintings are some of the treasures it guards. Meanwhile, Alhama de Aragón offers you the excellent facilities of the Monasterio de Piedra, a Cistercian monastery converted into a hotel, and also many spas. A Wine Museum of the Calatayud Denomination of Origin is another possibility in this area.
To the south of Zaragoza lies another wine county, Cariñena, which also has its own denomination of origin. Fuendetodos, the village where Francisco de Goya was born, is waiting for you among these Zaragozan vineyards. Here you can visit his house and the Museum of EngravingA few kilometres away you reach Daroca, the most important monumental sites at the region.
In each of these places you will have the opportunity to try Zaragozan cuisine, featuring its great simplicity as well as excellent raw materials. Borage, typical of the Ebro Valley, is the main feature of various dishes, as are sweet onions. Roast lamb can be very well accompanied with breadcrumbs stewed with grapes. Cold meats along with cheese must leave room for desserts, where chocolate-covered crystallised fruits as well as a wide range of rural recipes centred on "bizcocho" and "torta" cakes and also "roscon" pastries, are in charge.
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