Saragossa Tourist Attractions
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Zaragoza, once the residence of the kings of Aragon and now chief town of its province and the seat of a famous university, lies in the Ebro basin, on the right bank of the river, and from time immemorial has been the principal crossing point for traffic from the Pyrenees into Castile.
Cathedral - La Seo
Zaragoza's Cathedral was built between the 12th and 16th C and displays an awe-inspiring Renaissance Capilla del Santo Cristo.
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Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar
Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar is a pilgrimage church, built where the Virgin is said to have appeared to the Apostle James.
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La Aljafería
On the west side of Zaragoza is the Castillo de la Aljafería, built by the Moors in the 11th Century, which later became the residence of the kings of Aragon and was largely destroyed in 1809. The Catholic Monarchs stayed in the castle, and it was later occupied by the Inquisition. The Aljafería, the only surviving Moorish building in Zaragoza, contains a number of very fine rooms, notably the beautiful little mosque on the ground floor. A magnificent Gothic staircase with a coffered ceiling leads to the apartments on the upper floor, the palace of the Catholic Monarchs. The focal point of the palace is the Throne Room, with an over-ornate carved and painted artesonado ceiling. In the Sala de Santa Isabel St Elizabeth of Portugal was born in 1271. In the days of the Inquisition the Torre del Trovador was used as a prison. It provided a setting for part of Verdi's opera "Il Trovatore".
Other Sights
Goya Museum
The House of Goya's Birth and the Museum of Etchings, more commonly called the Goya Museum, is located in Fuendetodos outside of Zaragosa. The house is a typical example of the late 18th Century / early 19th century farmhouse. The Museum of Etchings here contains works by Francisco de Goya which include those of Los Desastres de la Guerra, Los Caprichos, Los Disparates, and La Tauromaquia.
Pablo Gargallo Museum
The Palace of Arguillo in Zaragoza has housed the Pablo Gargallo Museum since 1985, featuring many of his works. Pablo Gargallo is a contemporary sculptor from Aragon. On display are early examples of his work in marble and plaster and later works using iron and other pre-cut metals.
Roman Forum & Museum
The Roman Forum in Zaragoza provides a glimpse of what life may have been like during the first century of Zaragoza's existence. It is located in the archeological space surrounding the Ceasaraugusta forum. The exhibit can be seen at the excavations in the Plaza de la Seo.
José Camón Aznar Museum
The José Camón Aznar Museum in Zaragoza houses a collection of paintings from the 15th century to the 20th century. There is a room dedicated to Goya with four series of engravings.The museum is located in the Palace of Pardos.
Museum of Paleontology
The Museum of Paleontology in Zaragoza houses a collection donated by Jesuit, Longinos Navás which includes insects, fossils, vertebrates, etc. of both scientific and historic value.
Pablo Serrano Museum
The Pablo Serrano Museum in Zaragoza displays works by 20th C sculptor Pablo Serrano and paintings by his wife Juana Francés. The museum was established in 1985 upon the artists death.
Surroundings
Sos del Rey Catolico
Leave Zaragoza on N 232, going northwest, and in 24km/15mi turn right into a secondary road which leads to Tauste, on C 127. From there C 127 runs north via Ejea de los Caballeros to Sádaba, crosses the Puerto de Sos (856m/2809ft) and comes to Sos del Rey Católico, a little walled town which has largely preserved its medieval aspect. Ferdinand of Aragon, "el Rey Católico", was born here in 1452 in the 12th century Palacio de Sada. In the Plaza Mayor are the Renaissance Town Hall and the Lonja (Exchange), and nearby the Romanesque parish church of San Esteban (11th-12th century), with a sculptured doorway and excellently preserved 14th century wall paintings.
Map of Saragossa Attractions
Map - Zaragoza
