The small cozy Spanish city of Zaragoza is located in Aragon - one of the most ancient kingdoms of this country. Surrounded by it are all the famous cities of Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Bilbao . Many tourists who come to Spain, strive to visit exactly in such large cities. And about real Spanish pearls, such as Zaragoza, undeservedly forgotten. The city with more than two thousand years of history, Zaragoza is one of the greatest Spanish artistic and cultural heritage. In this colorful city there is a special historical charm and charm. What can you see in Zaragoza?
Zaragoza Spain - attractions
All tours of Zaragoza start from Plaza del Pilar square. And this is not accidental: on this beautiful square there are architectural monuments of all times and styles. For example, the basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, built in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary Pilar. The cathedral, which was built in Zaragoza for many centuries, was created in the Baroque style. The rectangular basilica is built of bricks. On the edges of it are four slender towers, and eleven domes are directed upwards. The temple is decorated with amazing stucco molding, balustrades with figures of saints.
Today, Nuestra Señora del Pilar, in fact, is one of the most famous places of pilgrimage for Catholics around the world. There are collected a lot of works of art created in different periods: it is an altar, and church choirs, and a chapel. The vault and domes of the basilica, its frescoes were once painted by the great Goya. Numerous pilgrims come to the temple in order to see the shrine - the statue of the Virgin, installed on a column of jasper.
In Plaza del Pilar there is another cathedral, the Catedral de San Salvador or La Seo, as it is also called. We built it on the site of the former mosque. In the XII century it was the first Christian church in Zaragoza. The unique architecture of the cathedral combines different styles. The sixteen-meter altar of the cathedral was created in Spanish Gothic, the portal in classicism, the chapels are built in the Renaissance style, and the plafond of one of them is in the Moorish style.
Next to these two cathedrals is the refined Lonkh building, in which art exhibitions are held nowadays. An example of a real Aragon renaissance is the facade of the building. The interior of the building is decorated with a special refinement and elegance inherent in the era of the Italian Renaissance.
A monument to Moorish architecture in Zaragoza is the fortress and Palacio de la Aljaferia, which were built in the 11th century as the residence of a Moorish ruler. One of the oldest parts of the fortress is the tower of Troubadour, named after the drama "Troubadour", which was first shown in Alhaferia. The palace building is surrounded by beautiful gardens and a wide brick ditch. Today in the palace there are sessions of the Parliament of Aragon.
The most beautiful street in Zaragoza is Calle Alfonso. On both sides of it there are unique historical buildings with beautiful terraces and magnificent flowers. There are many excellent places for entertainment and shopping, and numerous restaurants offer dishes of Spanish cuisine.
Another unforgettable place worth visiting in Zaragoza is a natural park belonging to the monastery de Piedra, located near the city. This huge park is spread on the Iberian mountains. There are many lakes, rivers and beautiful waterfalls. Here you can relax in comfort, staying at one of the many hotels.
The climate in Zaragoza is continental: cold winters and hot, dry summers. Precipitation falls mainly in the spring. In July and August the weather in Zaragoza is very hot: the temperature reaches 30 ° C, and sometimes 40 ° C. In some years, winters are snowy and frosty, and sometimes warmer, but foggy and damp. Often during this period of the year, the cold and dry wind of Cierzo blows, which makes the weather in Zaragoza very uncomfortable. Therefore, the best time to visit Zaragoza in Spain is spring and autumn.