🇪🇸 ZARAGOZA ~ Aragoneon legends come to life! : SPAIN

CAPITAL OF ARAGON…. oooohhhh I love that.. “Aragon” I feel like im in a Lord of the Rings! Far from though cos I gotta do my own washing.. but anyways

I instantly liked it here as soon as I arrived!

The train station wasnt crowded and I felt comfortable

Real low key, felt so safe and easy to walk streets – I love Spain so much already!!! How am I going to go back home now??

It was a 50min walk into the city and the vibe was really relaxed from the beginning, the locals were chilled walking around with their dogs – I didnt see many tourists walking around at all and I didnt find any English speakers the 3 days I was here – I didnt mind! I just have to get my Spanish better 🙂

The buildings on the outskirts of town were so pretty and ornate and each different from the next

I’ve never heard of Zaragoza before so what sparked my interest was that it wasn’t a major city like Madrid or Barcelona and it was along the first leg of Trainline to get me to Pamplona

(I have so much still to learn about Spain! Let alone the language!)

BUT then I found out that this city has the largest “Old Town” in Spain! Pretty cool…

SO, looked it up and found a huge and beautiful old town full of buildings waiting to be explored!

I couldn’t believe my luck when I found the ruins of a HUGE Roman ampitheatre!

A MAJOR CITY FULL OF HISTORY!

Zaragoza is the capital of Aragon region and lies on the banks of Evros River with the gorgeous Pyrenean Mountain range dominating the background

**The Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar** – taken from the bridge crossing the river – I love this shot!

I really didn’t realise how important this city is with its very very rich history (can’t get over the absolutely HUGE churches and basilica!)

The tower climb entrance isn’t very obvious, I had to ask around and the entry is on the river side not the Plaza side

€5 gives you 15min at the top with beautiful views over the old town

I just had a look at this on the side of the Basilica and just look at the difference in what us modern men create now (circled in red) compared to the old world artworks (circled in purple) no where near!! It also comes across in our square, ugly and flimsy modern buildings we make too

FESTIVAL

The Cincomarzada was a failed Carlist attempt to conquer the city of Zaragoza on 5 March 1838. Nowadays it is a popular holiday in Zaragoza commemorating the heroic behaviour of the citizens during the First Carlist War

There were around 12 large costumes which were obviously important figures during this time

The giants works soon and dance along with music played by local men on little flutes and the tube was so catchy!! I couldnt help but bop around!

The festival was happening outside the cathedral and they marched around the area – crowds were chock a block and everyone was excited!

There were also around 20 of these other characters who must have been the invaders who got pushed out

They were chasing after the kids and causing havoc and just scaring people – it was actually quite funny!

The costumes were so well made and really realistic

The festival ended in front of the Basilica with one more dance off between the giants

Was so much fun and happiness and seeing the kids running around and being chased by those scary looking smaller giants it was really funny and glad I got to see it – by total accident I saw it from my apartment window and ran down!

ZARAGOZA SELF GUIDED SCAVENGER HUNT & TOUR

I wanted to check out this amazing city in a different way so I had a look around and chose to book this via GETYOURGUIDE -> they have heaps of interesting types of tours including skip the line museum tours and more -> https://getyourguide.tp.st/QGr1yOY9 <- check out their page its really interesting

The hunt was actually quite good! Sent me around the city to find out little titbits of info about that specific site – had to answer some questions on the app to get to the next level, if youre time poor this is a good option as it shows you the top places to see

GOYA MUSEUM

One of the stops on the hunt was the Goya Museum, I went in and paid €8 to take a look around

The building itself was really nice outside and in!

One of the main reasons I go into museums here is to also see the buildings they are housed in!

On the outskirts of the old town, is a Monument to the martyrs of religion and country

PALACIO DE LA ALJAFERIA

The Palace is a fortified medieval palace / fortress built during the second half of the 11th c from Muslim times – the Hudid Dynasty created this complex and named it “The Palace of Joy” (I love that!!) I

It is 5 levels with defensive towers at the front and surrounded by a moat

Ticket cost €5 – you need to reserve online during busier times but I just rocked up and got my ticket from there

Looks like this is also their parliament house… They have modernised the front bit of the palace on the inside (I call that bit “contemporary ugly” lol walking through there was not 1 bit of creative flare to it, just modern square rooms 😦 such a shame how much our creativity has taken a back seat to technology and surveillance instead

My bags and I got scanned when entering.. but I noticed a man zoom in and walk past the x-ray scanner with bags (must work in the parliament) and he just walked straight through and the guard didn’t say a thing… Funny that huh 🤔 (the politicians put themselves on a different level no matter which side of the world you’re on)

This type of Islamic art was so important to the people of the time and used in construction of mosques and synagogues

The hand etched designs are so intricate and so beautiful!

The structure is the only conserved large example of Spanish Islamic architecture from the era of the taifas – this patio connects different rooms together and unites the whole complex! This was my favourite area of the whole Palace

Salón Dorado – The entrance porch has a fascinating mixtilinear cross-linked arches – This kind of arch is first used here

Roof of the Salón del Trono – The interior of some of the rooms was so impressive and the detailing was just next level!

This Throne room is well known for its decorative and detailed roof

This section looked a little older and more medieval – I wonder if it had intricate detailed paintings on the walls and now all painted over in white

We definitely do not and cannot build the same as they used to there is some sort of tech that we don’t have that these ancient civilizations used

OLD STOCK EXCHANGE – Lonja De Zaragoza

A civil building in the Aragonese Renaissance style built in the first half of the 16th c. (1541-1551) as an area for economic activities

Today it is the City Hall exhibition hall

It was also used as the stock market and treasury

The ceilings inside were just so intricate and designed with such high precision – who made this!!?

Built in the unique Aragonese renaissanse style using red brick of the area

The doors were absolutely huge around Zaragoza I noticed, where smaller doors were cut in the middle of the larger doors – this is the side of the building

The details on each side was unbelievable!! If you take a good look you notice the tiny little faces all different carved on all sides around the windows – its so cool!

I found a really cute vegan cafe and had a nice Acai bowl with a soy coffe – perfecto!

PUENTE DE PIEDRA

225m with 7 arches and is the oldest bridge here

They say the foundation dates back to Caesar times, the bridge today is of 15th c origins

Also called the bridge of lions and has 4 lions on pillars 2 on each side of the bridge and are the symbols of the city

Walked along this bridge over the fast moving water and looked back at Zaragoza old town it was such a nice sight to see the huge Basiilica and smaller surrounding buildings, its a gorgeous town with so much history!

LA SEO CATHEDRAL

Whoa! What a place! The UNESCO heritage site – Built on the site of the old Roman forum is just bloody spectacular! It honestly is jaw dropping!!!

Over the years there have been many reconstructions and additions – its so obvious from the inside as there are so many chapels and each so different and unique from the next

Once you get inside its hard to believe the architecture and the intricate designs of the chapels, its like a movie set!

There was a mosque here previously and when Alfonso I arrived, its said in the 12th c the muslims of Zaragoza were given 1 year to move out and the mosque was converted into a Christian cathedral

Its a blend of gothic / romanesque / mudejar / renaissance / baroque styles

Romanesque apse with mudéjar and gothic additions – A well preserved and honoured building well known in the Aragon region as one of the best Mudejar Architectures

The ticket included the Tapestry museum at the top level which was also very impressive with huge ornate tapestries

Exploring some back streets I stumble across some beautiful places

Coming up to the Dean’s House which was built in the 13th c. as the residence of the Dean of the Seo Cathedral – it was said he made a pact with the Devil to help him build the Cathedral

This is the only medieval home from the 13th century, not palatial, that has survived to this day, and the arch is the only one that has been preserved of all those that existed in the city

The details on most of the buildings in the old town as well as new were just unbelievable! I get more and more in awe as I walk this city

One of the main roads – Calle de Corso, heading out of the old town to explore

Now THIS area on outskirts really impressed me! I stayed around here exploring for a while

All the surrounding buildings here were so impressive!

Like this one! Its so huge and impressive – “Zaragoza Provincial Office of the Red Cross”

There were many little outdoor tents like this outside of cafes to help people stay warm – doesnt stop the Spanish coming out to play when its cold!

The theatre of Zaragoza & the lively and pumping piazza with cafes and restaurants

How about the awesome details on this balcony!!?

I dont need a break very often but when I do its a decent beer at an irish pub! 🤣 i always seem to find one!

THE ROMAN AMPITHEATRE

I randomly stumbled upon this! I was walking tge streets (no, not that way) and I saw this and nearly fell over! It was HUGE!!!

Built in 1st c AD and had a capacity for over 6000 people (the town only had 18,000 people!)

Its the largest theatre discovered in Spain! And the only one with a pit under its stage

Uncovered in 1973 the ruins are so interesting! I would have lovwd to be a fly on rge wall back

Iglesia del Real Seminario de San Carlos Borromeo

* seminary huge building!

HOUSE OF MORALES

* look it up – infront of church

They love their sweets! Artistic sugar creations

Monument to the Sieges of Zaragoza

Im sorry but just LOOK at the artistic way they have “carved” the stone its just something there is NO way we cou do these days! Why??@Im sorry but just LOOK at the artist way they have “carved” the stone its just something there is NO way we cou do these days! Why??

There level of details in this statue is unbelievable

BASILICA OF SANTA ENGRACIA

A huge and magnificent catholic temple

Absolutely huge doors once again for giants!

The designs and artworks are next level detailed!

Even their cheap boxed vino is in pretty packaging! Havent tried it yet but a whole bottle for €1.60!? Bargain! 🤣

THE GATE OF CARMENSmack

Smack bang in the middle of two of the main thoroughfares of Zaragoza Avenida César Augusto and Paseo María Agustín

Said to be built in 1789 and forms part of the walked ensure once around the city

This gates was once also where tolls were paid

Apparently a bloody bus collided with it in 1997 so had to do some ren

CHURCH OF LA MANTERIA

HOSPITAL OF NUESTRA SENORA DE GARCIA

Converted to a hospital inside was modern yet had the old walls and decoration

I went inside but accidentally, I walked into the hospital on the side of the building, I love how they have converted the church to a hospital

Piazza of Justice – my favourite piazza so far!

I kept going back every night here and just sitting and people watching and listening to the trickles of the wayer snd tge Spanish

Calle del Alfondo I – one of the main avenues full of restaurats and shops and locals strolling around, it’s a beautiful Street as it leads too the Basilica and the Piazza

Gorgeous during the day and when better at night with the beautiful lighting – people sitting in cafes around the Piazza having a wine and enjoying the chilled night with warm heaters

I had the time to be creative and you cant get a better subject to draw than a beauty like this structure!!! #

The beautiful doors or one of the churches – huge but cut with smaller human sized doors lol

Church of San Felipe – look at those curled marble columns!!! 😳

Ive gotta say, I’m SO glad that I found Zaragoza on the map randomly and ended up exploring here… If anyone asks me about Spain I will most certainly say you HAVE to visit this city!! It’s like another world espec to us Aussies who don’t have any history where we live.. I see the Spanish walking around and not even giving 2 thoughts to the buildings they are surrounded with and Im like do you even KNOW how lucky you are?

Note: put Zaragoza on your Spanish to do list and also stay at the apartment that I stayed with the amazing view!