It has 24,000 square meters and two cathedrals: the largest pedestrian square in Europe is in Zaragoza

The Plaza de Nuestra Señora del Pilar , also known as the Plaza de las Catedrales in Zaragoza , is not only the only square in Europe with two cathedrals. It is also the largest pedestrian square in the European Union, with an area of ​​24,000 square metres .

But size is not its only virtue. Here, Zaragozans and visitors alike are immersed in an environment enriched by museums, monuments and buildings that are key to understanding the history of the city itself.

Plaza del Pilar: the largest pedestrian square in Spain… and in the EU

The Plaza del Pilar in Zaragoza  is the largest pedestrian square in Spain and Europe, standing out as a crucial emblem of the city. It houses structures of great historical and cultural importance, such as the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar and the Cathedral of the Savior (La Seo) , as well as other significant buildings and monuments such as La Lonja, the City Hall, and the Fountain of Hispanidad . Known as “the living room of the city”, the square stretches over 500 meters in length by 80 meters in width , being a vital center for events and celebrations.

Historically, the Plaza del Pilar has evolved from a cemetery in the 13th century to the large, multi-functional space it is today. After a series of extensions and renovations, most notably a significant expansion after the Civil War and the addition of modern features in the 1980s, the square has greatly improved in accessibility and functionality.

The last major addition was the Fountain of Hispanidad , established in 1991 to commemorate the Fifth Centenary of the Discovery of America , thus completing the transformation of the square in the heart of Zaragoza.

What to visit in Plaza del Pilar in Zaragoza

Cathedral of the Savior

The Cathedral of the Savior , better known as La Seo, is one of the two main cathedrals of Zaragoza . This historic site began as the Roman forum of Caesaraugusta and was later transformed into the Great Mosque of Saraqusta , the remains of which can still be seen in the current tower. Begun in the 12th century, work on the cathedral extended over the centuries, integrating Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles.

The five naves and the various apses stand out in its architecture, especially the Parroquieta, which houses the tomb of Lope de Luna. The mixture of materials such as marble, bronze, and gilded wood enrich its interior, making La Seo a reflection of the cultural and artistic heritage of Zaragoza.

Merchants’ Exchange

The Lonja de Mercaderes in Zaragoza , an outstanding work of the 16th-century Aragonese Renaissance , originally served as a market for the city’s commercial exchanges. With an architecture inspired by Italian palaces and built in brick using Mudejar techniques, the interior of the building impresses with its ringed columns and star-shaped ribbed vaults.

Today, the Lonja is an active cultural centre offering free admission to a variety of art exhibitions. A much-loved feature is the Lonja Horse , a tribute to photographer Ángel Cordero Gracia , who for decades captured memories of young visitors to Zaragoza. To create it, sculptor Francisco Rallo Lahoz used the original horse as a model and it is sculpted in great detail to be a faithful reflection of those moments.

Zaragoza City Council

The Zaragoza City Hall  reflects a modern architecture inspired by the Aragonese Renaissance. Two statues by Pablo Serrano stand out on its façade: “San Valero” and the “Angel of the City”. 

City Hall offers free tours of its interior, providing an opportunity to explore the building’s rich history and architecture.

Church of Saint John of the Panetes

The Church of San Juan de los Panetes , located next to the remains of the Roman walls and the Torreón de la Zuda in Zaragoza , is notable for its leaning Mudejar tower. Although you don’t have to go all the way to Italy to see a leaning tower, the 16th-century octagonal tower of San Juan de los Panetes offers a unique visual appeal due to foundation problems that caused it to lean.

This Baroque-style Catholic temple replaced a Romanesque church of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem , believed to have been the first Christian church consecrated in Zaragoza .

Although its interior is not distinguished by its beauty or riches, due to two historic fires that devastated most of its elements, it preserves a 16th-century Calvary in its apse . In addition, on its façade you can see some of the few Romanesque chrismons that remain in the city. Interestingly, the name of the church derives from the tradition of distributing bread to the needy at its entrance.

Goya Monument

The Goya Monument in Zaragoza celebrates Francisco de Goya , the illustrious Aragonese painter born in 
Fuendetodos. The work of the architect José Beltrán Navarro and the sculptor Federico Marés , the monument presents Goya on a pedestal, flanked by two female figures stylized as 18th-century majas, a recurring theme in his works.

On one of the walls of the monument, an emblematic phrase by Goya stands out : ” Fantasy abandoned by reason produces monsters, but united with it is the mother of the arts “, capturing the essence of his artistic thought.

Originally located among trees, the monument was moved to its current location after the trees dried out, offering a suitable space to appreciate the legacy of one of the great masters of painting.

Fountain of Hispanicity

The Fountain of Hispanicity , located in the Plaza del Pilar in Zaragoza, in front of the church of San Juan de los Panetes , is an artistic and architectural tribute to Hispanicity, whose patron saint is the Virgin of Pilar. This work was built as part of the renovations of the square in 1991.

The fountain stands out for its unique design that represents the map of Latin America ; the upper part simulates the Yucatan Peninsula and Central America , while a waterfall descends into a pond evoking the shape of South America and Tierra del Fuego, creating a powerful visual image and a symbolic meeting point in Zaragoza.