33411SPA
Tourist Offices:
Calle de Santiago 22, Plaza de Pilar
Tel. 976 20 12 00
Everyday 10:00 – 20:00
Torreón de la Zuda, Avda Cesar Augusta
Tel. 976 20 12 00
Mon-Fri: 10.00 – 14.30, 16.00 – 20.00
Pilar Basilica – Baroque Cathedral – reputed to be the first church dedicated to Mary in history. Attributed to an apparition 2 January 40 AD, to Saint James the Great the apostle who had brought Christianity to the country. This is the only known apparition of Mary to have occurred before her Assumption. 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! The eastern part of the church around the Holy Chapel are the vaults or 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 ancient Roman forum of Augustus and on site of Old Mosque. Well worth the visit as some say it much more beautiful than the Basilica, though not as famous by far. It is a mix of styles; Romanesque, Gothic, Mudéjar, Renaissance and Baroque.
FYI – the Sanctuary of Mercy Church that recently received worldwide fame when an elderly lady made an amateur restoration botch job of a Jesus Fresco is not in Zaragoza itself but a nearby town – LOTS of pax have been asking about this.
Museo Camon 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 mudéjar 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 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. The visit is guided and free for school groups.
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 speciality 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.
Acuario de Zaragoza. A very large river aquarium housed in the former Expo site.
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. Closed Sat and Sun afternoons.