account Plaza del Pilar in Zaragoza
Plaza del Pilar in Zaragoza: The City's Living Room
Plaza del Pilar in Zaragoza is popularly known by locals as "the city's living room." It's a pedestrian square recognized among the largest in Europe. It's a social gathering point and a hub of Aragonese culture, as well as a must-visit for travelers and visitors. Exploring Plaza del Pilar is an experience you can't miss if you're staying at one of our B&B HOTELS in Zaragoza's historic center. Among them, our B&B HOTEL Zaragoza Centro is just a 9-minute walk from Plaza del Pilar.
It's one of the most crowded popular centers in Zaragoza with a lot of cultural activity. Locals celebrate numerous public festivals there, such as the Pilar festivities or Hispanic Heritage Day, which are among the most famous. It's also often called the Plaza de las Catedrales (Cathedrals Square) because it houses Zaragoza's two cathedrals: the Cathedral of the Savior (La Seo) and the Cathedral of the Pillar.
The square is accessed via Don Jaime I and Alfonso I streets. To explore it at a leisurely pace, we recommend setting aside about an hour of your time.
The Monuments and Historic Buildings You Can See in Plaza del Pilar
In this square, in addition to the Basilica del Pilar and La Seo, you'll find buildings like La Lonja, the City Hall, the Fountain of Hispanidad, some courthouses, and the Goya Monument. You can also see, near La Lonja, the tomb of the painter Francisco de Goya.
As soon as you enter, you can admire the grandeur of the Temple of the Pillar in this spacious city living room, 500 meters long by 80 meters wide, as well as numerous monuments that reflect the imprint of the different cultures and civilizations that have passed through the Aragonese capital for centuries.
The Cathedral-Basilica del Pilar is the most well-known building and the unique symbol of the city. An ancient 17th-century Baroque temple. Its interior is free to access and houses the Virgin of the Pillar and two large frescoes painted by Goya on a vault and a dome.
Zaragoza City Hall is a modern building, a project inspired by the Aragonese Renaissance. Its facade features two statues, "San Valero," the city's patron saint, and "Angel of the City," who carries the city of Zaragoza in his hands, protecting and guiding it towards the future.
The Palacio de La Lonja is one of the best civil works of the Aragonese Renaissance, built in the 16th century. Currently, temporary exhibitions with free admission are held in this historic building. Behind La Lonja, you can see a curious bronze statue in the shape of a small horse. It's a tradition among locals and tourists to take photos riding this sculpture.
From anywhere in the square, you can see the leaning Mudéjar-influenced tower of the Church of San Juan de los Panetes. In the northern part of the square is the Fountain of Hispanidad, right in front of the Church of San Juan. It's part of the renovations made to the square in 1991, whose figure outlines the map of Hispanic America. The fountain is complemented by 3 prismatic blocks of different dimensions made of concrete covered with white marble, which evoke the 2 caravels and the nao in which Christopher Columbus embarked, as well as a joined concrete globe.
During the Pilar festivities, this square becomes the stage for numerous concerts, jotas, and activities. In addition, every October 12th, it witnesses the Offering of Flowers, in which thousands of Aragonese and visitors from all over the world parade throughout the day, dressed in regional costumes, to bring their bouquets of flowers to the Virgin of the Pillar, who is displayed in the square during the festivities.
Similarly, other events are held, such as the Offering of Fruits, the Crystal Rosary, or the opening speech of the festivities.
During Holy Week, the square also witnesses the passage of different processions.
As the Christmas season approaches, a large Christmas market is set up, and fun activities and attractions are held for children. Also, a large life-size nativity scene is set up in the square, considered the largest in all of Spain.
In addition to the "city's living room," you can visit great tourist attractions of the city of Zaragoza nearby, such as the Main Theater, the Zaragoza Auditorium, the Goya Museum, the Central Market, El Tubo, the Bullring, Plaza de España, the Grand Park, or the Stone Monastery, among others.
Are you looking for a hotel in Zaragoza to visit Plaza del Pilar? In that case, three welcoming B&B HOTELS in Zaragoza are waiting for you to fully enjoy your stay in the Aragonese capital at affordable prices.
You will feel at home from the moment you arrive at any B&B HOTELS. We are waiting for you!
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