Zaragoza

Capital of the eponymous province and region of Aragón, Zaragoza is one of the most spectacular cities in Spain. Situated in the heart of the Ebro valley, the city is traversed by this river as well as the Huerva and Gállego. This has meant that throughout history it has been a place inhabited by various peoples.

Zaragoza has approximately 2,000 years of history. Around the 3rd century BC, there was an Iberian settlement called “Salduvia”. With the arrival of the Romans, the city was renamed “Caesaraugusta”, as it was refounded by Emperor Augustus. In 452, the city was conquered by the Suebi, passing into Visigoth hands in 466 until it was conquered by the Muslims in 714.

The city was called Medina al-Baida Saraqusta. It became a very important frontier centre for the caliphate. Zaragoza's splendour was experienced in the 11th century, when the Aljafería Palace was built, a period that ended when Alfonso I, King of Aragón, conquered it in 1118. In the following centuries, the city grew rapidly, becoming famous in the 19th century for resisting Napoleon's sieges.

Today, Zaragoza is a city that is centred around the Ebro River. It stands out for its places of great heritage value. For example, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, the icon of the modern city. From previous centuries are the Charterhouse of Aula Dei, the House and Arch of the Dean, and the Lonja. At the same time, the Church of Santa Engracia, the Cathedral of the Saviour, and the Puerta del Carmen are also very popular.

In addition to this immense heritage, Zaragoza is also a place to enjoy a varied gastronomic and leisure offer. The entire historic centre is a collection of bars and restaurants where you can taste different tapas. At the same time, the Pilar Festival is an annual event that attracts thousands of visitors, many of whom come to witness the floral offering made to the Virgin of the Pillar.

There are also a number of museums such as the Provincial Museum of Fine Arts or the Goya Museum. Additionally, there are really interesting places to visit like the Zaragoza River Aquarium.