Culture of Zaragoza. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

One of the main symbols of Zaragoza is considered to be the Cathedral of San Salvador. Its luxurious building was erected on a place of an ancient mosque. The Cathedral presents a unique fusion of architectural styles and trends among which one will identify the dominating tokens of the Gothic style. The Cathedral is known for its rich inner design and decoration. Anybody can visit the religious landmark and estimate its glory. The ancient Baroque tower is located close to the Cathedral. The construction of the tower was finished in 1686. In the heart of historical center of the city tourists will discover the Bruil Park being one of the most remarkable spots of tourist attraction in Zaragoza.

According to archeological data an antique Roman colony was placed there more than two thousand years ago. Apart from ancient trees and plenty of lanes and alleys being an admirable place for hiking the parkland features a variety of architectural monuments and priceless inestimable sculptures. Among the most distinguished architectural landmarks of the tourist destination of Zaragoza one should necessarily pay a visit to the Aljaferia Palace which can be justly called a genuine example of the Moresque style.

The palace is often called the treasure of Zaragoza and still symbolizes luxury and grandeur. Through its long history of existence the palace has many times changed its look and its role. In the Middle Ages the palace served as the main residence of the Catholic Kings. Later on the palace hosted the court of the Inquisition. During a city exploration tour travelers will surely be offered to visit the Santa Isabel patio and estimate its beauty. Its main decorative elements are rich greenhouses and pools. Among religious sites and landmarks of the city of Zaragoza tourists will surely estimate the Basilica of Our Lady del Pilar being a scale construction made of brick and executed in keeping to the best traditions of the Baroque style. The basilica features a rich decoration. The main decorative elements of its interior and major religious attributes of the Basilica are made of valuable and precious materials such as rare sorts of marble, imperial jade, bronze and gold. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Among the inestimable priceless artifacts of the Basilica its visitors will find the ingenious artworks of Goya and an ancient dossal icon dating back to the 16th century. The next must visit place for the engaging tours admirers in Zaragoza is the Museum of Jose Camon Aznar which is housed in a Renaissance palace. The collection of the museum comprises the artworks by the famous painter as well as by other famous Spanish artists. The same exciting and interesting collection of artworks is presented in the Museum of Pablo Gargallo. Its halls keep more than a hundred of sculptures by the master as well as a collection of private items of Pablo Gargallo which will be of great interest to explore as for his creative work admirers so for people being keen on art and the beautiful.

Another important religious monument of the capital of Aragon is the Monasterio de Piedra, famous for being located in the middle of an unusually beautiful area. If you are in search of paradise in Zaragoza and its surroundings, then you should visit the park adjacent to the monastery’s ruins with its magnificent waterfalls, majestic cliffs and secluded caves – a true oasis for Aragon’s arid region. Be sure to check this place out in the evening when the area is beautifully illuminated. The park owes its beauty not only to nature but also to an individual named Juan Federico Muntadas, whose family purchased the monastery in 1840. As a truly creative person (poet and playwriter), he immediately admired the views and decided to create a green zone, based on English parks.

The interior decoration of the monastery is also a creation of the master, who took up the task of restoring the semi-destroyed cells. From 1850, all the Bohemians of Spain came here and with the discovery of the Iris cave in 1860 at the Cola de Caballo waterfall, tourists from all over the world visited here. Of course, travelers today find it attractive, being another must-see point on the tourist route around Zaragoza and the surrounding area of the city. In addition to the already mentioned waterfall Cola de Caballo, it is worth going to the picturesque waterfalls Lato de Los Patos for a walk, as well as Trinidad and Caprichosa. In addition, there are interesting bird performances in the park (including owls, falcons, and eagles). As for the Cistercian monastery, it was founded in 1194 on the site where the fortress of the Moors stood previously and operated until the dissolution of the order in 1835.

The city’s busiest square which is also a true tourist attraction, is the Plaza del Pilar. It was so due to the fact that the already cited Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar is located here. The square continually breathes life – during the day when tourists visit the city’s tourist attractions and refresh themselves at the fountain Fuente de la Hispanidad, and at night when people gather in restaurants and bars idly to spend their leisure time. When it comes to iconic places, it is worth highlighting the Ayuntamiento de Zaragoza building, on the left side of which you can see the monument to Francisco Goya (Monumento a Francisco de Goya), who was born in a village near Zaragoza. The beautiful Renaissance-style building La Lonja also deserves to be pointed out. The fortification was completed in the early 16th century. Today temporary exhibitions organized by the Mayor’s office are being held here.

Not far from the Plaza del Pilar square, you will come across a monument of the Roman era – talking about the walls Murallas Romanas, which were built in the 2nd century AD during the reign of Tiberius. Another place you should not fail to visit while in Zaragoza is the building Plaza de Toros de Zaragoza. The “most Spanish game” takes place here, talking about a bullfight of course. An important building in terms of history is Casino Mercantil, which has received significant guests on more than one occasion. One such visitor is Albert Einstein, who gave a lecture on his concern for the Weimar Republic in 1923 in one of the halls of the building. The beautiful Art Nouveau style building was designed in 1914 by Francisco Albignana, and its interior was decorated by Dionicio Lasuente and Felix Lafuente.

Also deserving of mention is the educational institution Universidad de Zaragoza, which is included too in the list of places you must visit during your time in the city. As evidenced by the date it was founded, 1542, it is one of the oldest universities in Spain. The most interesting one among its buildings is the Paraninfo de la Universidad de Zaragoza complex, which houses a library, the Museo de Ciencias Naturales, and classrooms. Previously, a medical college was located here, which explains why the building is sometimes called the Antigua Facultad de Medicina. It was built according to the design of Ricardo Magdalene in 1893. Famous sculptors Jaime Lluh and Dionicio Lasuen also participated in the construction. It is also worth paying attention to the building Colegio Escuelas Pias, which has among its graduates, Francisco Goya, as well as the Bayeux brothers (Francisco, Manuel, and Ramon).

Another historic landmark is the Castillo de Alfajarin, constructed by Arabs in the 11th century. Up until the 14th century, the fortress belonged to the Cornell family. It was later purchased by different dynasties until it finally fell into disrepair. The Torreón Fortea is a wonderful example of the Mudejar style mixed with the Renaissance. The building was constructed in the 15th century and served as a manor house. It was named after the modification of the estate of Joaquín Fortea which is still in use today. Today, interesting cultural activities are held here. Another building reminiscent of Zaragoza’s rich past is the beautiful Molino de Viento en Malanquilla, which is situated around a magnificent landscape with the fascinating pastoral atmosphere.

Palacio de Larrinaga is a remarkable monument to the early 20th-century neo-Renaissance. It is considered one of the best examples of this style. The building owes its state to the architect Felix Navarro, who developed the project in 1901 and restored it in 1908. Another excellent example of architecture from the early 20th century is the Art Nouveau Casa Solans Manor (or Casa de los Azulejos, as it is called, hinting its primary “landmark” – azulejo tile). Miguel Angel Navarro Perez was the building’s architect. The house was vacant for a long time after the death of the estate’s heirs. It remained this way until it was used for governmental reasons (up to 2015). The Palacio de los Condes de Morata o de los Luna is a beautiful example of the 16th-century Renaissance that also deserves to be highlighted.

When it comes to modern buildings of the capital of Aragon, the Palacio de Congresos de Zaragoza comes first. It was built specifically for the International Exhibition in Zaragoza, which was held in 2008. The modern building is both functional and at the same time attractive to the eyes. It is considered one of the most original structures in the whole city, with its striking monumentality. Held here today are interesting exhibitions and conferences, as well as theatrical shows – for example, during the tour of the famous musical theater Les Miserables, this particular complex was chosen as the venue. All this is possible thanks to the fact that you can find many halls in the building.

The Pabellón Puente Bridge was constructed for the same exhibition in 2008 by the renowned architect Zaha Hadid. It was he who created a real masterpiece – a magnificent bridge in the form of gladiolus which lies on the river Ebro. The construction impresses with its originality and is regarded as one of the architect’s finest creations. Another building that was built specifically for the International Exhibition is the Torre del Agua Tower. It has a height of 76 meters and impresses with its originality. It is considered the tallest building in Zaragoza and in principle, in Aragon. Henrique de Teresa was the architect, who intended to build an analogy with a drop of water, and he was really successful. Those who want to get aesthetic pleasure should expect to get it on the 23rd floor, where a beautiful bar which opens up magnificent panoramic views of the capital Aragon is located.

The Caixaforum Zaragoza Cultural Center is another masterpiece of modern architecture that should not be overlooked. It was built by the architect Carme Pinosa in 2014. The building is interesting for its unique architecture and at the same time its functionality. In addition to the fact that tourists can visit one of the interesting events here (exhibitions, seminars), the building has a beautiful observation deck. Among the other museums of the city, the Museo de Zaragoza should be highlighted. It has quite a lot of interesting exhibits, including archeological finds, works by Francisco Goya and Joaquín Sorolla, and Roman mosaics. You will be pleased to learn that the cultural center can be visited free of charge. Most of the archaeological finds that were discovered during the excavations in and around Zaragoza are displayed at the Museo del Teatro Romano de Caesaraugusta.

You can learn about the Roman era in the history of the capital of Aragon in the beautiful cultural center Museo del Foro de Caesaraugusta. For those who want to get acquainted with the city’s religious history, it is worth going to the Museo Alma Mater, which is situated in the former palace of the Archbishop. Art enthusiasts will be pleased to visit the city’s abundant art galleries and art museums. A distinctive origami collection awaits tourists at the lovely Museo de Centro de Historias. If you would like to stroll along the magnificent village that seems to have come down from the pages of books about the Middle Ages, you should visit such a lovely place as Daroca. While here, it will seem as though time has stopped, and the noise of the capital of Aragon gives way to a pastoral atmosphere with its inherent serenity. The village has a well-preserved medieval gate as well as churches of that time.

Parque Grande Jose Antonio Labordeta will be a perfect stop for those who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the world and enjoy the solitude. You should definitely appreciate the magnificent gardens Jardín Botánico and Jardín de Invierno, enjoy music in the elegant rotunda Quiosco de La Musica, have a picnic in the middle of picturesque expanses, visit the observation deck, as well as admire the hand-made works of art of the green zone (fountains playing with their magnificent colors in the evening, drawing in the mind of guests, some fantastic country). Musical performances take place in the rotunda almost every day in the evening. Reserva Natural de Los Galachos de La Alfranca is also suitable for a walk in search of peace, and a picnic.