Route through the historic center of Zaragoza: these are the essential monuments

Whether you are from Zaragoza or not , and especially if you are a tourist, walking and getting lost in the streets of its Historic Center is one of those things you can’t miss. However, among so many buildings, monuments and plans, it is sometimes difficult to organize yourself and not leave anything out. Beyond the experience of getting lost in its alleys and bridges over the Ebro River, in this article we make a list of those essential monuments of the Historic Center of Zaragoza if you come to visit.

THE SAVIOUR CATHEDRAL – THE SEO

If Zaragoza is known for anything, it is for having, no more and no less, two cathedrals in the same square. One of them is the Cathedral of the Savior, known by many as La Seo. It is built on the site of the old Roman forum of Caesaragusta and the main mosque of Saraqusta. The building was started in the 12th century in Romanesque style. However, it has undergone various renovations and extensions that have given it different styles. General admission costs 7 euros.

BASILICA OF THE PILLAR

The Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar is the capital of Aragon’s main attraction. Inside, the pillar is worshipped and venerated, a jasper column that, according to tradition, was placed there by the Virgin Mary after she appeared in mortal flesh to the apostle Santiago. The Pilar also has the rank of cathedral, although unlike the one of El Salvador, entry to this temple is free.

CENTRAL MARKET

The Central Market of Zaragoza was designed by the architect Félix Navarro in 1895 to replace the traditional one that was held until then outdoors in the old market square . Although its role in the city has always been crucial, its rehabilitation in 2018 and 2019 marked a before and after. And now, in addition to the daily stalls, there are different bars located in the center of the market, providing it with a gastronomic space.

ROMAN WALLS AND CAESAR AUGUSTUS

This is a Roman wall built in the 1st century in Caesaragusta and belonging to the Roman Empire. At one time it was nearly 3,000 metres long and had around 120 defensive towers. Two sections have been preserved: the longest of them next to the Torreón de la Zuda, next to which there is also a statue in honour of Caesar Augustus , and another which is part of the Convent of the Holy Sepulchre. In addition, a Roman tower hidden inside a building located at 177 Coso Street has recently come to light.

PALACE OF THE PROVINCIAL COURT

The Palace of the Audience, also known as Morata or Luna, is currently the seat of the High Court of Justice of Aragon. This 16th century Renaissance palace was built by order of the Viceroy of Aragon, Pedro Martínez de Luna y Urrea. The architectural complex has a huge central columned courtyard, topped with medallions of shields and busts. As it has a function beyond its heritage appeal, it is not a place open to visitors.

ST PAUL’S CHURCH

Known by many as “the third cathedral of Zaragoza” , the church of San Pablo is located between the streets of San Blas and San Pablo. Its tower is one of the great jewels of the city’s Mudejar style. The current temple of San Pablo dates back to the 14th century. Among all the artistic heritage that this church preserves, the main altarpiece stands out, made by Damián Forment, between 1511 and 1531, in gilded and polychrome wood. The general entrance to visit the church of San Pablo costs 8 euros (Sol) or 10 euros (Luna).

CARMEN’S GATE

This is the only gate that remains of the twelve (four Roman and eight medieval) that once formed the defensive wall of Zaragoza. It is located in the square that forms the intersection of two of the main arteries of the city, Avenida César Augusto and Paseo María Agustín. Built in 1789 by the architect Agustín Sanz and inaugurated in 1792, it stands on the old Puerta del Carmen, which was part of the second walled enclosure of the city. It also served as a bastion for the Aragonese resistance during the War of Independence. Good proof of this are the marks left by the projectiles that hit its structure.

CHURCH OF PORTILLO

The origin of the parish church of Nuestra Señora del Portillo dates back to the time of the Reconquista, linked to a miraculous intervention of the Virgin that saved the city from a Muslim attack in 1137. Its location next to one of the gates of the wall caused serious damage during the War of Independence. In 1908, the Chapel of the Heroines was inaugurated inside , in honor of the women who fought bravely in the Sieges: Agustina de Aragón, Casta Álvarez and Manuela Sancho. On February 5, the feast day of Santa Águeda, the women of Zaragoza flock to this church with great fervour to venerate the relics of the martyr that are kept inside. Entry to the temple is free.

MONASTERY OF CANONESSES OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE

Located next to the Ebro River and very close to La Seo and Pilar, we find a medieval monastery inhabited by the canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre for more than 700 years. It is a very important example of medieval Aragonese monastic architecture. There are currently two guided tours of the Monastery that can be consulted through its website.

CHURCH OF SANTIAGO THE GREATER

This church is the only remaining part of the former convent of San Ildefonso, abandoned during the Mendizábal Confiscation (1835). In 1902 it became the seat of the parish of Santiago, whose church had been demolished previously. The architect Felipe de Busiñac y Borbón directed the works from 1661. It stands out for its rich plasterwork decoration with geometric motifs of Mudejar tradition combined with Baroque elements both in the vaults of the nave and in the domes of the side chapels. Entrance to the temple is free.

BULLRING OF MERCY

The first permanent bullring in Zaragoza was built in the 18th century thanks to the initiative of Ramón Pignatelli. The name Coso de la Misericordia alluded to its connection with the Real Casa de Misericordia, which was maintained in part thanks to the profits obtained from bullfighting. This first wooden ring was replaced by another made of brick and stone in the 19th century. In fact, it is the first bullring in Spain that had a roof, fixed over the stands and mobile over the ring.

ALJAFERIA PALACE

Built in the 11th century as a pleasure palace for the Muslim kings who ruled the Taifa of Saraqusta, the Aljafería Palace is not only a renowned jewel in the Aragonese capital. Ten centuries later, the palace of joy dreamed of by the Muslim monarch Al-Muqtadir continues to be, along with the Alhambra in Granada and the Mosque of Cordoba, one of the artistic jewels of the Muslim presence in southern Europe. Today it also houses within its walls the institution that represents all Aragonese: the Cortes of Aragon. General admission costs two euros.

FIRE MUSEUM

The Fire and Firefighters Museum is located on what was the cloister and the premises of the Convent of the Minims of La Victoria, of the Order of San Francisco de Paula in the 16th century. The building, attached to Fire Station No. 2, illustrates the reality of firefighters, yesterday and today. Inside, the different vehicles used by firefighters to extinguish fires are surprising and are displayed in the courtyard of the old convent. The entrance fee is 3 euros.