53410NOR
The sightseeing tour is done on foot. You can decide when to do it.
· Your driving time is short today, so you can be flexible with your timing.
· There are many good rest stops on the way.
· If your group is interested, you can visit the Aljaferia palace. The coach would need to take you there and you would need to call in advance to confirm the visit ( Call for group prices 976 28 96 85 ). It is well worth the time.
Zaragoza – walking tour with TM
Your tour should include:
The Pilar Basilica
The Seo Cathedral
Remains of the Roman Wall
Monument to Goya (on the Plaza del Pilar)
A walk through ‘El Tubo’
After the walking tour, give free time for lunch and arrange rendezvous and time with the group. The area known as El Tubo is good for lunch, particularly around Calle de la Libertad and Calle del Cuatro de Agosto. If you are in the new town, try Calle de Francisco Vitoria. Alternatively, if it is not Sunday, your group could buy their own ingredients at the market – just next to the Roman Wall.
Tourist Office Plaza del Pilar
Pilar Basilica – Baroque Cathedral – reputed to be the first church dedicated to Mary in history. Attributed to an apparition of Mary on 2 January 40 AD, to Saint James the Great the apostle who had brought
Christianity to the country. She gave St James a column of jasper around which a chapel was built. The column is venerated inside the Cathedral – it is easy to find as there is always a line of people waiting to kiss the column! In the eastern part of the church around the Holy Chapel are the vaults and domes painted with frescoes by Francisco Goya: The Queen of Martyrs and Adoration of the Name of God.
Pilar Museum (in the Basilica)
La Seo Catedral
Located on the Plaza de la Seo. Built on the site of an ancient Roman forum of Augustus and on the site of the Old Mosque. Well worth a visit, as some say it is much more beautiful than the Basilica, though not as famous by far. It is a mix of styles: Romanesque, Gothic, Mudejar, Renaissance and Baroque.
Museo Camón Aznar paintings by El Greco, Goya, Velazquez etc.
Roman Forum some remains, with presentations of Roman life. There are three underground museums in total including the Forum and the public baths.
Magdalena Church beautiful Mudejar tower
Santa Engracia Church in the crypt there are the remains of 18 martyrs, killed by Diocletian. They are known as the Santas Masas.
Aljaferia Palace an 11th century Muslim palace. If you are staying overnight in Zaragoza then it is well worth a visit, if a bit out of town. Reservations must be made for groups 24 hours in advance.
Puerta del Carmen one of the old gates of the city that has damage caused by the siege of Napoleon.
El Tubo This is the famous quarter known for its tapas bars. They serve a wide variety of tapas and pintxos day and night. One typical specialty is calamares bravos: spicy fried squid.
Roman Theatre just near the Teatro Municipal on the Calle Veronica it is possible to see the remains of a Roman Theatre.
Expo Site there is a very large river aquarium, a cable car over the whole site and a water park for rafting and kayaking.
SHOPPING
The area around Calle Alfonso, Plaza de España and Paseo de la Independencia are the main shopping streets.
Plaza de Santa Cruz: on Sunday mornings there is an arts and crafts fair.
Mercado Central: A food market set in a modernist building. Open – 09:00-14:00 / 17:00-20.00 Monday to Friday, and 09:00-14:00 on Saturdays. Closed on Sundays.
