Pilot Report

Posts Tagged ‘Fiestas del Pilar’

What is there to do in Zaragoza?  The fifth largest city in Spain contains a metro population of nearly 800,000, and is kind of in the center of the wheel from a great number of major urban areas: Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid, Toulouse (in France), and Valencia.  Each of these cities are less than two hundred miles from the city, but what makes Zaragoza itself special?  Why should you head for one of Zaragoza Spain hotels?

The city is renowned for folklore, as well as its three major architectural and historical landmarks, The Aljaferia Palace, Basilica del Pilar, and La Seo Cathedral.  In terms of education, it’s the home of one of the oldest universities in Spain, the University of Zaragoza and its home to one of Spain’s major festivals, the Fiestas del Pilar.  In the first century, legend has it, the Virgin Mary appeared in a vision to St. James, and stood on a pillar, a legend recalled by the basilica known as Nuestra Senora del Pilar (“Our Lady of the Pillar”).  The festival commemorating this legend is celebrated October 12 each yiear, coinciding with the Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the New World.  The festival lasts for nine days, ranging from an opening speech to a fire works display, with dances and bands and a procession of gigantic papier mache carnival figures.

The La Seo Cathedral was built over a main mosque (a piece of which is preserved in the Parroquieta wall from the 11th century) and contains 12th century Roman apses.  Architecture throughout the centuries is on display here — from 15th century to the Baroque towers in the 16th century.  Some distance from the main city, you’ll find the Alaferia, a major Moorish building, and the setting for an opera, Il trovatore by Verdi.

With all these areas of historical and architectural interest, Zaragoza seems quite special, well worth a trip for these reasons alone, without even mentioning the Zaragoza Museum or the San Fernando de Torrero church, let alone the sports and night life!