Zaragoza:
Over half of the one million inhabitants that live in the three Aragonese provinces have their home in the regional capital, equidistant from the economic centres of Barcelona and Madrid and serviced by the newly inaugurated high-speed train that links it to the capital and, in two years' time, will also provide a fast link to Barcelona.The centre of the city has an air of prosperity, reflected in the wide, modern boulevards, but the main centre of attraction is the square in which the basilica of El Pilar is located. This takes its name from the pillar on which the Virgin Mary is alleged to have descended from heaven and appeared before the Apostle James. The structure created around this pillar is quite spectacular, constituting one of the largest churches in Spain with a tower on each corner and a central dome surrounded by ten small domes with glazed tiles.
The famous pillar on which the statue of the Virgin stands is permanently surrounded by pilgrims waiting in turn to touch the small, worn away piece that is exposed.But it is on 12 October when the fervour reaches its peak and the Aragonese make their flower offerings to the Virgin. Situated on the edge of the same square is the old cathedral, La Seo, which has recently been reopened following restoration works over the last 20 years.
Its Gothic-Mudejar façade and the unusual Mudejar wall with its geometric patterns are not to be missed. Between the basilica and La Seo is the Lonja, the old exchange building now used as an exhibition space; and on the other side of the basilica is the La Zuda tower, which once formed part of the medieval fortifications of Zaragoza and now houses one of the city's tourist offices. Together with the famous Carnival, there are other feasts in the different towns of the island where you will be able to get to know typical handicrafts like openwork and cockade; the gastronomy, especially fish dishes, potatoes and cheeses; and other popular and traditional customs of the islanders.
