Zaragoza Things to Do

When in Zaragoza, some of my "must do" would be (in no particular order):

- Palacio de la Aljaferia

- La Seo

- La Lonja (between La Seo and El Pilar, but most visitors do miss this beautiful example of civil Gothic architecture)

- Palacio de Sástago (usually it has good exhibitions for free, apart of a good opportunity to see how a traditional Aragonse palace was)

- Iglesia de La Magdalena (Mudéjar tower)

- Museo Gargallo (I heard it was closed for renovations, not sure it's re-opened)

- Crypt of Santa Engracia church

- Having a Bocata de Calamares at El Calamar Bravo (on the tiny street in front of the main door of Santa Engracia church)

- Strolling Paseo de la Independencia and Plaza de los Sitios for people-watching

- Buying some "guirlache" at Zorraquino

- Admiring the old University main building at Plaza Paraiso, before heading to have some "leche merengada" in Cafe de Levante (calle Almagro, near Puerta del Carmen)

- Buying some "frutas de Aragon" and "pastel Ruso" at Ascaso. You may find much cheaper "frutas de Aragon" at the many souvenir shops near El Pilar, but the ones from Ascaso are top quality!

etc

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This palace was built in the 11th century, during the Moorish domination. When Zaragoza was reconquered, the palace became the residence of the christian kings of Aragón. Later, it would be also the palace of the Catholic Kings, Isabel de Castilla and Fernando de Aragón.
The Aljafería is a good example of Mudejar architecture.

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If you are near Zaragoza, reserve at least one day to visit Expo Zaragoza 2008. The theme of the exposition is Water and Sustainable Development. At the end of the pedestrian bridge, the text in the wood pieces informs of the quantity of water required for the production of a series of goods. All of us are responsible for the use of water and saving water is a must for each of us.

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There are some places where you can refresh after some hours walking from pavilion to pavilion and queuing. This picture was taken outside the Aquarium. After some minutes sitting there, with the feet in the fresh water, we were able to go on!

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Walk up to Torre del Agua. Though the height is equivalent to twenty something floors, there are ramps along the periphery instead of stairs and the ascent is comfortable. The views of the Expo and the city from the top floors are excellent.
The sculpture that hangs from the top, called splash, changes the colour as you go up, since the images shown in the screens at the bottom change.
The lifts are reserved for disabled people and pregnant women.

This is a wonderful museum not only devoted to painters, such as the main hero Francisco de Goya (on the first floor), who was born in Aragon, near Zaragoza, but sections on the ground floor dedicated to the history of Aragon, its archaeology, prehistory, and the Roman times, when Zaragoza was known as Ceasaraugusta (Caesar Augustus, the founder of the town in the year 24 B.C.).
The entrance is free of charge.

Arabs built a mosque on a place of the Roman forum, preliminary having destroyed it. Christians built the Cathedral on a place of a mosque, preliminary having destroyed it. The main Cathedral of Zaragosa La Seo de San Salvador was begun in the XII century. The construction ended in the XVII century. Therefore in architecture Romance, Gothic, moorish styles and a baroque have mixed up. The northwest facade is especially interesting. It was built by the moors, remained to live under Christian sovereignty (style "mudehar"). A facade is beautiful. It is reverted by a brick and multi-coloured tiles. The museum of Gobelin tapestries (Museo de Tapices) is in the Cathedral.

Museo del Foro de Caesare-augusta is located on Plaza de la Seo. The modern cubic building is an entrance into the underground world. It is possible to walk on Roman streets there, to see the rests of a former Roman forum and system of water supply.