The day Einstein arrived in Zaragoza: he only needed 50 hours to admire Aragonese scientific talent

On March 12, 1923, Albert Einstein arrived in Zaragoza by train from Madrid. Although his stay lasted only 50 hours , the impact of his visit was enormous. The German scientist, already world-renowned for his revolutionary studies on relativity, gave two lectures in the Auditorium of the University of Zaragoza. But his time in the Aragonese capital was not limited to the academic sphere: he was so impressed by the city and its people that, upon saying goodbye, he declared that only in Zaragoza had he perceived the throbbing of the Spanish soul.

Zaragoza welcomed Einstein like a true celebrity. The scientific community welcomed him enthusiastically, and his presence was closely followed by the local press. His arrival marked a milestone for the university and helped open Spanish science to modern theories. March 2025 marks the 102nd anniversary of that historic visit, which left a profound mark on the city.

THE RECEPTION AND ITS CONFERENCES

From the moment he arrived at the station, Einstein was given a warm welcome. The city’s mayor, Victoriano Carboné Chueca, drove him to the Hotel Universo y Cuatro Naciones, where he stayed. The scientific community, led by biochemistry professor Antonio de Gregorio Rocasolano, gave him a warm welcome, along with students and members of the German colony in Zaragoza.

On March 12th, just a few hours after his arrival, Einstein gave his first lecture in French in the Auditorium, then the Great Hall of the Faculty of Medicine and Sciences. The hall was packed and presided over by Rector Ricardo Royo Villanova. The following day, he filled the hall again with his second lecture, in which he used a blackboard to illustrate his equations. Although the Rector attempted to preserve that blackboard as a historical memento, its trace was lost over time.

THE BANQUET AT THE CASINO MERCANTIL

One of the highlights of Albert Einstein’s stay in Zaragoza was the banquet in his honor held at the former Casino Mercantil, located in the Coso district, in the current headquarters of the Caja Rural de Aragón financial institution. This emblematic building, the epicenter of the city’s social and cultural life at that time, hosted the Aragonese scientific community for a dinner in which Einstein was the main protagonist.

During the event, the German physicist spoke with academics and authorities about his theories and the state of science in Spain. He also expressed his concern about the political instability in his native Germany, then in the midst of the Weimar Republic following the fall of the Kaiser. The local press reported on the impact of the meeting, highlighting the scientist’s straightforwardness and approachability, who always seemed accessible and willing to share his knowledge.

The Casino Mercanti l, which remains a symbol of historic Zaragoza today, experienced an unforgettable chapter that night. Einstein’s visit not only marked a milestone for the University of Zaragoza, but also left its mark on the city’s social life, consolidating its connection with the international scientific community.

THE MOST HUMAN SIDE OF EINSTEIN IN ZARAGOZA

Beyond his lectures, Einstein enjoyed the city’s cultural life. He visited emblematic monuments such as the Basilica of El Pilar , the Seo, and the Aljafería, and attended Miguel Echegaray’s zarzuela “La viejecita” at the Teatro Principal. During a dinner at the home of the German consul, Gustavo Freudenthal, he surprised the audience by playing the violin, thus showcasing his artistic side.

The most moving moment of his visit came on March 14, his 44th birthday. A band of musicians came to his hotel to perform a jota recital in his honor . Moved, Einstein hugged a jota player and posed with a baby girl in his arms in a photograph that was thought to be lost, but which was recently found in the archive he donated to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Hours later, he departed by train, leaving behind a Zaragoza that never forgot his passing.