Zaragoza: A Roman City in Northern Spain
Overview
Zaragoza is a city with, unusually, two cathedrals side by side. It is located on the river Ebro at its confluence with the river Huerva, in the Autonomous Community of Aragon in northern Spain.
History
Zaragoza was founded by the Romans as CaesarAugusta in the Province of Hispania Tarraconensis, it holds today an exceptional number of Roman sites. The city was founded by Augustus between 25-11 BCE, to settle the Roman veteran soldiers after the Cantabrian Wars, and it quickly became one of the most important Roman cities in Hispania. After the Fall of the Roman Empire it was ruled by the Visigoths. Between 714-1118, It became the seat of the Muslim Governors of Saraqusta. After the Reconquista in 1118, King Alphonso I made it the capital of Aragon. Between 1808-1809, Zaragoza famously resisted the Napoleonic armies.
Zaragoza Walking Tour
- Your geolocation will appear as a blue dot that moves on the map as you walk.
- You may start anywhere on the map and just follow the blue line to the next point of interest.
Things to Do and Places to See in Zaragoza
1. Torreon de la Zuda
Location: (Tram: Plaza del Pilar-Murallas) Ave. de Cesar Augusto. A Tourist Office is located on the ground floor and from the top floor, panoramic views can be had over Zaragoza.
Description: This is the original tower from the Zuda Palace, the seat of the Muslim Governors of Saraqusta between 714-1118. Its present appearance is the result of rebuilding work done in the 16th and 20th centuries. After the Reconquest in 1118, the Palace became the seat of the Kings of Aragon. From 1180, King Alfonso II gave the building to the Knights Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, after which it became a hospital. The building also acted as a prison.
2. Roman Walls of Zaragoza
Description: Visitors can walk along the remains of the Roman Walls, built in the 1st and 3rd centuries to protect the city. Originally, the walls stretched for 1.8 miles (3km) and featured 120 towers, several of which have survived along the Avenue de Cesar Augusto.
Historical Insight: The remains of these walls outline the perimeter of Roman CaesarAugusta, givingg a sense of the city’s Roman scale.
3. Iglesia de San Juan de los Panetes
Location: Plaza del Pilar
Desxcription: Begun after the 1560’s, the church was completed in 1725 in the Baroque style. It was built over the site of a former church belonging to the Hospitallers Order of St. John of Jerusalem. There are several Maltese crosses on the floor, referencing the Maltese connection. On top of the transept sits a dome, and there is an octagonal tower dating to the 1500’s, which is topped by a bulbous spire. Located in front of the church is an artwork called the Fuente de la Hispanidad, which features Latin America with a fountain and a pool.
4. Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar
Description: This is one of the most important Pilgrimage sites in Spain. The Baroque style Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar was completed in 1686 and has eleven cupolas and four towers. It is co-cathedral of the city, along with the nearby La Seo de Zaragoza.
Historical Insight: According to local tradition, soon after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, Saint James was preaching the Gospel in Spain. On the 2nd January 40 CE, while he was deep in prayer by the banks of the Ebro, the Mother of Jesus appeared to him and showed him a column of jasper (an opaque quartz stone), instructing him to build a church in her honour. He is reputed to have built a small chapel here before returning to Jerusalem, where he was executed by Herod in 44 CE. St. James’ followers then brought his body back to Spain, where he is buried in a crypt under the main altar of the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (Santiago means St. James).
El Pilar and the Spanish Identity: The Virgin Mary is the Patroness of Spain. The feast of Our Lady of the Pillar, celebrating th efirst apparition of Mary to the Hispanic people, is on October 12th. This is a National Holiday in Spain and coincides with the Dia de la Hispanidad and the date of Columbus’ Discovery of the New World. Every nation of Hispanic colonial origin has donated national vestments to the 15th century statue of the Virgin Mary, which rests on a column of Jasper housed in the Holy Chapel, and is the most visited part of the cathedral.
Pilar: To honour Nuestra Senora del Pilar (Our Lady of the Pillar), there is a strong tradition in Spain and among Hispanic peoples to name their daughters Maria del Pilar or just Pilar.
5. Plaza del Pilar
Description: The Plaza of Our Lady of the Pillar is the largest square in the European Union. It is the only square in Spain with two cathedrals. In this Plaza are to be found the Basilica del Pilar, the City Hall, the Fountain of Hispanicity, a Monument to Goya and the Cathedral of El Salvador (La Seo).
Historical Insight: During the feast of Our Lady of the Pillar on October 12th each year, the square fills up completely with a procession of 250,000 visitors and pilgrims to lay flowers and celebrate the first apparition of Mary to the Hispanic people. In total, around 2.5 million people attend the week long festival.
6. Puente de Piedra
Description: Continue through the Plaza del Pilar to the iconic Puente de Piedra, the city’s historic stone bridge. Completed in 1440, and rebuilt in 1659 after a flood, it carries cars and pedestrians alike.
Tip: The refuges on the abutments offer excellent views of the Ebro and of Zaragoza.
7. Roman Forum & Museo del Foro de Caesaraugusta
Description: The Museum presents the urban, administrative and commercial life of Caesaraugusta, revealing the main Roman sites in the Forum, the political and commercial heart of the city.
8. Roman Port & Museo del Puerto Fluvial de Caesaraugusta
Description: Walk to the Museum which stands on the original ancient port site, highlighting the Ebro’s importance in trade and transport.
Tip: Consider how the river connected Zaragoza with Tarragona, the Mediterranean and the rest of the Roman Empire.
9. Cathedral of the Saviour of Zaragoza (La Seo)
Description: The cathedral was built in the Late Romanesque style in 1140, over the site of a former mosque. La Seo means ‘The See’, and specifically refers to this cathedral in Zaragoza. The cathedral is mixture of architectural styles from the Romanesque apse (12th century), to the Baroque tower and Neo-Classical main door (18th century), passing through the Mudejar and Gothic styles.
Historical Insight: From 1204 up to the 15th century, all the Kings of Aragon were crowned in this cathedral, by a special privilege granted by Pope Innocent III, along with Royal baptisms, weddings and funerals. The long-standing rivalry between the canons of El Pilar and La Seo was well known in the 17th century. The dispute was finally resolved in 1676 by Pope Clement X who made the Solomon-like decision to merge the two chapters via the Bull of Union. Accordingly, 6 Prebendaries and 15 Canons would reside in La Seo, and the same in El Pilar, and the Dean would live 6 months in one, and 6 months in the other.
10. Roman Baths & Museo de las Termas Publicas de Caesaraugusta
Description: The museum is built over the original site of the Roman baths. Visitors can explore the daily life and rituals of Public Bathing.
Historical Insight: The Roman Baths were central to Roman social life emphasizing hygiene, relaxation and networking.
11. Goya Museum
Description: The Museo Goya-Coleccion Ibercaja-Museo Camon Aznar, is a Fine Arts museum that houses a collection of over 1,000 works, with around 500 on display. It holds a significant collection of paintings and engravings by the Spanish artist Francisco Goya (1746-1828) who was born in Zaragoza.
12. El Tubo
Description: El Tubo is a lively bar and restaurant area located in Zaragoza’s Old Town, where visitors can enjoy modern Spanish cuisine in historic surroundings.
13. Roman Theatre & Museo del Teatro de Caesaraugusta
Description: Visit the Roman Theatre which once accommodated up to 6,000 spectators. The museum explains the structure and its cultural role in Roman Society.
14. Museo de Zaragoza
Location: Near the Old Town, a short walk from the El Tubo area.
Description: The Museum houses artefacts from all periods of Zaragoza’s history, including an extensive collection of Roman artefacts. The museum provides context for all the sites you have visited on the tour.
Further Afield:
15. Aljaferia Palace
Location: C. de los Diputados, Zaragoza.
Description: This 11th century fortified Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that is part of the ‘Mudejar Architecture of Aragon’. It is one of three preserved examples of Moorish architecture in Spain, along with the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba and the Alhambra in Granada. Originally built as a fortified palace for the Banu Hud Dynasty, the Arab Rulers of the Taifa of Zaragoza, after the Reconquista of 1118 it became the Palace for the Kings of Aragon, and now it is the seat of the Regional Parliament (Cortes) of Aragon.
Travel Tips
- Best time to visit: Spring and autumn for mild weather and fewer tourists.
- Photography hotspots: Plaza del Pilar, La Seo, Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, Puente de Piedra.
- Nearby Attractions: The Waterfalls of Monasterio de Piedra (Cistercian Monastery)
Visitor FAQ’s
- What is Zaragoza famous for?
- Zaragoza is famous for the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, a major pilgrimage destination, its multiple Roman Ruins and the 11th century Unesco listed Aljaferia Palace.
- Can I see Roman Ruins in Zaragoza?
- Yes, there is a Roman Theatre, Roman Port, Roman Baths and Roman Forum.
- How far is Pamplona from Zaragoza city centre?
- Approximately 2 hrs drive.
- Are there Guided Tours of Zaragoza historical sites?
- Yes, local guides offer walking tours highlighting the Cathedrals, the Old Town and other venues. Contact the Tourist Information Centre.
- Is the Caesaraugusta the same as Zaragoza?
- Yes, Zaragoza was founded as the Roman city of Caesaraugusta.
- Which Roman Province was Zaragoza located in?
- What was the role of Caesaraugusta (Zaragoza) in the Roman Empire?
- Zaragoza served as a key economic hub and port with roads leading to Toledo, Merida and Pamplona.
- What Roman Roads connected Zaragoza?
- Was there a Roman Bridge at Zaragoza?
- No. In Roman times, there was no bridge across the River Ebro in Zaragoza. Instead, ferries carried people and goods between the riverbanks, adding to the city’s importance as a logistical center. The main Roman road is believed to have crossed the Ebro further upstream at Tudela, about 52 miles (84 km) away, highlighting how Zaragoza functioned as a strategic link between river and road transport.
Quick Facts
- Modern Location: Zaragoza, Spain
- Category: Historic city centre, medieval cathedrals, tourist and pilgrim destination
- Activities: Walking tours, sightseeing, photography
- Nearby Roman Site: Zaragoza itself holds several Roman sites
- Nearest Roman road: Zaragoza was on the Roman Road from Leon to Tarragona.
- Roman Province: Hispania Tarraconensis
Nearby Attractions
- The Waterfalls of Monasterio de Piedra (Cistercian Monastery)