A city located in the northern east of Spain; the capital of the Aragon region. The first settlers’ traces are from the 1st century BC. The city’s history has been a torment one from the very beginning with various rules swapping places (Romans, Vandals, Visigoths, Moors among others). In the 11th century it was the capital of the Muslim country. Zaragoza flourished most in the 14th – 16th centuries and thus many city’s monuments originate from that time. Many of those were renovated and redecorated over the span of following centuries. That is why, what we can admire today, are buildings that combines styles from different eras.
The great example of such mixture of styles is the Cathedral del Salvador, which was built from the 12th to the 17th century. Here you can find both gothic banks indoors and baroque towers outside. The façade is decorated with Moor’s ornaments, very common in this area. In the walking distance you can find the Muslim’s palace from the 11th century, which later served as Aragon’s dynasty residence. Interiors are open to visitors.
A marketplace from the 16th century is widely regarded as the most important building of the Renaissance in Aragon. Built with an aim to please merchants and citizens, who were demanding a trading place, nowadays serve as a spot for exhibitions and cultural events.
Here and there you can stumble across remains from the Roman Times – ruins of a theatre, Roman thermal pools, forum, parts of city walls. The most precious objects from the Roman Times are gathered in the Historic Centre.
For dinner it is best to visit El Tubo district, known for its cafes and restaurants serving typical Aragon’s food. While being there, don’t miss a chance to try ternasco al horno – roasted lamb leg, meat from a furnace flavoured with garlic, herbs and lubricated with lard. Due to harsh climate, lambs were the most common animals breed in the area of Zaragoza. Quite popular are also dishes from wild boars, deer, hares or partridges. After the twilight, streets of El Tubo are filled with tourists and locals relishing in tapas and local wines.
