Zaragoza

What to see in the Plaza del Pilar in Zaragoza, one of the most incredible in Spain

The Plaza del Pilar is the best known place in Zaragoza. Its nerve center and where the most important monuments of the city are located, including the impressive Basilica del Pilar, the symbol of Zaragoza and the most visited place being one of the largest pedestrian squares in Europe.

It is known as ” the city hall ” and it is the place chosen by the people of Zaragoza to celebrate big events and festivals, such as the Fiestas del Pilar that are celebrated around October 12 every year.

Here we are going to tell you what to see in the Plaza de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, one of the best places to visit in the city and an area where we recommend you look for a hotel in Zaragoza to start visiting it.

What to see in the Plaza del Pilar in Zaragoza

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar

Zaragoza - Pilar SquareWithout a doubt, the most impressive building that we will find in this square is the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, the largest, most emblematic, spectacular and beloved building in the square and in all of Aragón.

The Basilica del Pilar is about 130 meters long, being the largest baroque temple in Spain and a visit to which is essential if you are traveling in Zaragoza. And its access is also free. Inside you can admire 3 huge naves of the same height where the High Altar and its altarpiece stand out, located under the Central Dome.

The Holy Chapel of Our María del Pilar, the work of Ventura Rodríguez, is another of the essential points of the basilica. There is the pillar on which, according to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to the Apostle Santiago in the year 40 in Jerusalem. By the way, now you know why it is called Virgen del Pilar.

From the outside you can admire its domes and its 4 towers. One of which can be climbed to have great views of the city of Zaragoza and the Ebro River that passes by the basilica.

Zaragoza City Hall

To the right of the imposing Basilica del Pilar is the Zaragoza City Hall, a building that began construction in 1946 and was inaugurated in 1965.

The Town Hall building is a modern building, from the 20th century, as we have told you, but it is inspired by the Aragonese Renaissance, so you will find this style on its façade, which does not go unnoticed in the Plaza del Pilar and from which we must highlight the two statues called “San Valero”, patron saint of the city, and “Angel of the City”, who has the city in his hands.

Inside, the Mudejar ceiling is very interesting, as are its stairs and rooms. And it is also visitable.

The Zaragoza Market

Next to the Town Hall is another of the magnificent buildings that can be found in the Plaza del Pilar in Zaragoza. We are talking about La Lonja, a Renaissance-style building that dates back to the 16th century and was used for commercial relations at the time.

La Lonja was the first Renaissance building to be built in Aragon, although it also has Mudejar influences as in many other buildings that we can find in Aragon. From its exterior we must highlight its brick facade of three heights although its interior only has one floor.

It is currently the Exhibition Hall of the Zaragoza City Council and in it you can visit different very interesting temporary exhibitions and, moreover, for free.

The Cathedral of the Savior of Zaragoza

The Basilica del Pilar is not the only cathedral in Zaragoza. This title is also held by a temple located in one of the corners of the square and which is usually known as La Seo. It is located on the site of the ancient Roman forum of Caesaraugusta.

La Seo began to be built in the 12th century in Romanesque style, adapting the old mosque that was in the same place, continuing with Gothic, Mudejar and Renaissance elements, and finishing its construction at the beginning of the 18th century with the construction of its baroque tower that it replaced the old Mudejar tower that was demolished due to its great deterioration.

From the outside, the Torre de la Seo itself stands out, its facades and the dome, which we can admire before going inside and enjoying its chapels and the main altarpiece.

The Goya Monument and the Hispanidad Fountain

Located at each of the opposite ends of the Plaza del Pilar we find these two monuments that contribute to increasing the beauty of this beautiful square.

The Monument to Goya, located next to La Seo, dedicated to the best Aragonese painter of all time and one of the best in Spain. It was inaugurated in 1960 and presents the painter on a pedestal admiring the square.

At the other end we find the Fuente de la Hispanidad. It was built in 1991 in the last reform that was carried out in the Plaza del Pilar and its silhouette represents the shape of South and Central America, dedicated to Hispanic people.

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