This is of course a huge area, as I am talking about the Autonomous Community of Aragon in northern Spain; especially the province of Zaragoza, which I have bypassed several times too numerous to count. Unfortunately, my experiences here have been long time when a teenager with my dear late mom Gladys; afterward came again but just passing by with so much to see and my emphasis on Madrid! However, time will prove it right and we will be back. For now some memorable moments of passing by and brief stops. Let me tell you more about our curiosities of Zaragoza! This will be a bit long but worth it me think. Thanks.
The city of Zaragoza is the capital of the province of the same name and of the autonomous community of Aragon. It is located on the banks of the Ebro river halfway between Madrid and Barcelona, about 300 km from each of them, and 340 km from Valencia. It has a very first rank road junction, which connects the center of Spain, Madrid, with Barcelona. As well as Valencia. The main we always take by here is the A23 , which we then take the beltway Z-40 direction Teruel/Cariñena wine country going north or Calatayud going south.
One of the most pleasant family anecdote is that on this stretch we stop for lunch at Plaza Mudejar A23 Somport-Sagunto km 215 by Villadoz/Zaragoza , while on our way to Madrid, There we had a funny line and wonderful bocadillos or sandwiches of chorizo(the highlight of the stop for the family!) and tortilla (omelette) with a large glass of beer call a tubo or tube, croquettes of ham and cheese, and orange juices all came out to 7, 65€ per person!!. It was delicious and good festive vacation ambiance with lots of travelers. My family always remember this memorable stop as the food was plenty and cheap! The Plaza Mudejar webpage: http://www.plazamudejar.es/bar-cafeteria.php
The city is also the rail transport hub of northeastern Spain, a transit point for the AVE high-speed rail line that connects Madrid and Barcelona in particular, and beyond these two largest cities. Other connections relate to the regions of northern Spain with those of the Mediterranean coast (Valencia and, further north, Catalonia). The Zaragoza International Airport serves a large number of European cities , The airport is located 10 km from city center.
A bit of history I likeThe city became a Roman city, colonia inmune under the name of Caesaraugusta under Octave Augustus who refounded it for the veterans of the Cantabrian wars, between 25 and 12, probably in 14 ! It was in the domain of the Visigoths, from 466. After the Battle of Vouillé in 507 against the Franks, the Visigoth kingdom retreated to the Iberian Peninsula. The city is so rich that the Frankish (French) kings Childebert and Clovis tried to conquer it (541 siege) but without success, In 714, the Berbers and Arabs of Musa ibn Nusair took control of the city and renamed it Medina Albaida Saraqusta. The city integrates the emirate of Cordoba. From 1018 to 1118, Zaragoza was one of the Taifa kingdoms, Muslim states that emerged in the 11C after the end of the Caliphate of Cordoba. The last sultan of the Banu Hud, Abd-al-Malik Imad ad-Dawla, last king of Zaragoza, entered into an alliance with the Aragonese led by Alfonso I the Battler who, with his Occitan allies and French crusaders conquered the city on December 18, 1118 and made it his capital.
At the end of the 13C, the Convent of the Resurrection was built at the northeast corner of the Roman wall of Zaragoza. It is a masterpiece of the Mudejar style whose trace is evident in the towers of the churches of La Magdalena, San Pablo, San Gil and San Miguel, the Tower of Zuda and the wall of the Cathedral of La Seo, Of the Jewish community of Zaragoza, only the ritual baths remain used as a synagogue, hospital, butchery and prison whose land is now occupied by the Seminary of San Carlos. It was around the streets of Calle Don Jaime, Calle Veronica, Plaza San Pedro Nolasco Square, Calle Santo Dominguito , Plaza San Carlos square and Calle San Jorge, An important treaty was signed in Zaragoza (Treaty of Zaragoza) in 1529 between Spaniards and Portuguese for the sharing of discoveries of the New World.
At the beginning of the 19C, Zaragoza was the scene of two sieges (in 1808 and 1809) during the Spanish War of Independence (vs France), during which the Aragonese showed their determination by opposing fierce resistance to Napoleonic troops, thus illustrating the will of independence of the Spanish people. Following this devastation by the French army, the city was largely rebuilt in the 19C, Only the Porte du Carmen still bears traces of shots,
What is to see in Zaragoza in my opinion , (even thus my trip here lately have been passing by and the older times shows no pictures), are :
The Zaragoza Museum, which houses works of archaeology, fine arts, ethnology and ceramics. The Aljafería Palace, Forum Caixa , the must Cathedral of La Seo , Parque Grande José Antonio Labordeta , Palace of los Condes de Morata , the Mudejar Tower of the Church of La Magdalena , and the Church Our Lady of the Pilar (patron saint of the city), Aljaferia Palace
The main festivities is of the Pilar, around October 12. This is the most important and famous festival in the city which consists of making an offering of flowers. The feasts are given in honor of the Virgin of the Pilar (Virgen del Pilar). It is one of the most important patronal festivals in Spain !
The Zaragoza tourist office: https://www.zaragoza.es/sede/portal/turismo/?locale=en
The city of Zaragoza on its heritage : http://www.zaragoza.es/ciudad/cultura/patrimonio/enlace/cultura/observatorio/directorios/patrimonio.htm
The Aragon regional tourist office on Zaragoza : https://www.turismodearagon.com/en/ficha/zaragoza/
There you go folks, another wonderful spot in my dear Spain. This is Zaragoza and worth the detour, we shall be back! Hope you enjoy the post as I bringing back memorable moments in my life.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
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