Zaragoza Cathedral

Discover the Majestic Zaragoza Cathedral on Your Next Trip

The Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar is one of the largest centers of Christian devotion and one of the most visited monuments in all of Spain. Its common name is "Basilica of the Pillar" or "the Pillar" and it is one of the two metropolitan cathedrals of the Archdiocese of Zaragoza, along with the Seo or Cathedral of the Savior. Located on the banks of the Ebro River, in the same place where the Virgin appeared on the pillar, you will not be able to stop admiring this majestic jewel of Baroque art. On that pillar, a small chapel was built which, over the years combined with popular fervor, has resulted in the impressive temple of today.

Considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1984, this cathedral is a living testimony to the historical and cultural legacy that has left its mark on Aragon, and around the world. Its imposing facade and sacred atmosphere make it one of the most outstanding Catholic temples built on a former Muslim mosque. In addition, inside this cathedral there are two frescoes painted by Francisco de Goya on a vault and a dome of the temple. Two kilometers from the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar is our budget hotel B&B HOTEL Zaragoza Plaza Mozart.

Its Location and the Exterior of the Imposing Basilica of the Pillar

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar is in the center of the Plaza del Pilar or Plaza de las Catedrales, constituting one of the most important points of the city along with the Zaragoza City Hall. This temple has a rectangular plan, is 125 meters long by 70 meters wide, and its structure consists of 4 Baroque towers and 11 Byzantine-style domes of different sizes with polychrome tiles. In the center of the facade is an altarpiece by the Aragonese sculptor Pablo Serrano, considered one of the most outstanding that Spain had in the 20th century, which represents the coming of the Virgin of the Pillar. Over the centuries, and especially since the Baroque building, the temple has been enlarging its silhouette with the raising of domes and towers at its corners. That is why today the exterior volume of the Basilica of the Pillar reaches majestic proportions and reflects different architectural styles such as Mudéjar, Gothic, Renaissance, or Byzantine.

Currently, you can see eleven domes roofed with glazed tiles of green, yellow, blue, and white colors. One central dome, at the confluence between the nave and the central section of the church, and four smaller ones surrounding the side aisles. In addition, the towers, mostly raised in the 20th century thanks to the architect Miguel Ángel Navarro, reach ninety-eight meters in height.

Don't Miss the Visit to the Interior of Zaragoza Cathedral

Admission to the basilica is free, and access is through the two large porticoes located in a historic square. There are two other entrances that overlook the Ebro River, but they are only opened during major events such as the Pilar Fair. Inside the immense Cathedral is the Holy Chapel, which is the place where the Virgin of the Pillar is located and prayed to, made of wood. It is only 39 centimeters tall but is displayed in a spectacular temple made of marble, jasper, and gilded bronze. Next to the Holy Chapel, there is a place that for many is miraculous. On one of the pillars are displayed two bombs that were dropped on the temple during the Civil War and did not explode. You can still see the holes they left in the domes when they impacted them. On the walls of the extensive perimeter of the basilica are 10 secondary chapels: Chapel of San Juan, Coreto de la Virgen, Santiago, San Joaquín, San Lorenzo, San Pedro Arbués, San Braulio, San Antonio, San José, and Santa Ana. Another spectacular place in the temple is the Main Choir, made of Flemish oak wood in Plateresque style, in which the 16th-century organ is found in perfect condition. In front of it is the High Altar, which stands out for its impressive Renaissance altarpiece. This altarpiece has a glass oculus and is a place that can only be found in Aragonese churches, as it was a privilege granted by the Vatican. Between the High Altar and the Chapel of the Virgin is the central nave where the Holy Pillar is uncovered. In this same area is also the Holy Christ of the 16th century, which was originally located in the old prayer room converted into the current Pilarista Museum. The Pilarista Museum houses a valuable collection of paintings, crowns, mantles, jewels, and other objects, donated to the Virgin throughout its history.

Another important museum that is located in the other cathedral of Zaragoza (the Seo or Cathedral of the Savior) is the Tapestry Museum. The Tapestry Museum, located in the old archive, exhibits an important part of the tapestry collections from the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, woven in the famous European workshops of Arras, Tournai, and Brussels.

Another essential attraction of the Basilica is to take the Pilar tower elevator that takes you about eighty meters up to the tower's viewpoint. From there, you can admire the grandeur of the basilica, the Plaza del Pilar, and have privileged views of the city of Zaragoza.

In addition to the Cathedral Basilica of the Pillar, you can visit other great tourist attractions of Zaragoza nearby such as the Central Market, the Main Theater, the Zaragoza Auditorium, the Goya Museum, El Tubo, the Bullring, the Plaza de España, the Grand Park, or the Stone Monastery.

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