Few things about Spain won’t surprise you and including my first stop in the Aragon region. History abounds on every street corner and in every town, the people are friendly in that Mediterranean sort of way that will immediately put a smile on your face. And the food, well let’s just say you won’t go hungry while eating the local favorite - tapas.
Like every other European country, Spain has a long history of bloodcurdling battles, official pomp and circumstance, political jousting and a definite idea on religion. In fact, when one thinks of Spain, the Spanish Inquisition often comes to mind as well as Queen Isabella and Christopher Columbus. In Aragon I couldn’t help thinking of King Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon (the one who didn’t get beheaded).
However, first things first because when I heard I was going to be visiting the town of Zaragoza my first question was “where is it?” I quickly learned Zaragoza is in the principality of Spain known as Aragon in the northeast of the country. Watched over by the Pyrenees
Mountains and with the popular Ebro River running through it for sustenance this city of a little over half-a-million had quite a few surprises to offer.
Pablo Gargallo Museum, Zaragoza
Zaragoza
Zaragoza was actually founded by the Romans in 24 B.C. and its name comes from the founder, Augustus Caesar.
The region has been home to many cultures over the years from the Muslims for four centuries who made their mark to the Christians who built lasting monuments as well. While you will want to tour the entire Aragon region, Zaragoza is really where it’s at. These days Zaragoza is doing a great job of bringing the past and the present together in such a way that Expo 2008 will be held here (better known as the World’s Fair). However, while the building of this modern Expo is going on there are still the famous historical sites that almost always involve the popular Mudejar Aragonese art, declared a World Heritage by UNESCO.
Where to Stay
Hotel Catalonia Zaragoza Plaza
www.hoteles-catalonia.com
Avenida de la Cortes Valencianas
www.hotelsorollapalace.com
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The Cathedral known as La Seo del Salvador was the city’s first Catholic cathedral and was built on the site that was originally a Roman temple of the forum. Updated in the 15th century to add a Gothic-style, the upper apses and the wall of the parish chapel are good examples of the Mudejar period. The art is beyond definition and, with 16 chapels to explore, getting lost in the glory of this monument is easy to do.
The Palacio de la Aljaferia is from the eleventh-century and is Spanish-Muslim architecture. Vast in size, the palace has seen history as a medieval Christian palace where the Aragonese Monarchs often visited. Of special interest to visitors are the oratory, the Golden Room (Salon Dorado) and the Minstrel’s Tower
(Torreon del Trovador), rumored to be the setting for Verdi’s famous opera.
The city of Zaragoza is also famous for the well-known Virgin of the Pillar, the patroness of Spain. In fact, a must see in this regard is the Basilica de Pilar, which opens onto the Plaza del Pilar home to pigeons, relaxing locals and vendors. This tiny square is also full of history in that you can see a bit of the old Roman wall here, a tower that once belonged to a Moorish palace, the Gothic Lonja where trade was once conducted in the 1500s and the city hall. It’s a lot to take in for just one piece of square in the
middle of town.
As for the founding father, Augustus Caesar, visitors will want to see the paleo-Christian sarcophaguses of the crypt of Santa Engracia and the Roman Walls. Other must-sees are the Caesaraugusta Public Baths Museum, Caesaraugusta Forum Museum (underground) and the Caesaraugusta theatre museum (built in the first century).
The Pablo Gargallo Museum is another stop that won’t disappoint, housed in a Renaissance-type palace built around 1659 and devoted to the work of Aragonese sculpture Pablo Gargallo, including drawings, documentation and even cartoons that the artist used as models for his sculptures.
No trip to Zaragoza would be complete without mentioning Goya and his work. He was born nearby in the town of Feundetodos, he trained in his art in Zaragoza and much of his work is in the local museums. That said take a look at the Basilica del Pilar, the Zaragoza Museum, the Ibercaja Camon Aznar Museum and a final stop at the Patio de la Infanta where there is a permanent exhibit of the artist’s paintings.
Pushing into modern times the 2008 Expo really does have the entire city in a buzz. Happening from June 14 to September 14, the theme is simply water, but it is projected that as many as 7,500,000 people will descend on Zaragoza during the event. The entire water pavilion will be about understanding water as an important resource for humanity and the Spanish Pavilion will focus on the challenges that we all must meet to deal with the issues that water plays in our very existence.
Other important information:
www.spain.info
www.zaragozaturismo.es
www.zaragozaexpo2008.es
www.turisvalencia.es | |
Fallas, Valencia
Once arriving at Swept Away I didn’t even bother to leave the property for days. Excellent restaurants like Lemongrass or the Palms are just a few of the reasons to stick around. You can also take a glass bottom boat ride, go snorkeling or just hang out at the pool and swim-up to the bar for the best Caribbean drinks around.
Swept Away is located on 27 acres and there are 312 Caribbean-style suites. There are nine bars on property, including a hip Martini bar and there’s also plenty of sun and sand. The sports and fitness complex is on 10-acres with a spa included so there is no reason not to stay healthy
while you vacation. Be sure and take at least one day to enjoy the spa services and try the fruit and veggie bar for a healthy alternative to your vacation in paradise.
Valencia
From Zaragoza take a train to Valencia, where every year in March the Fallas are held. This is a must see in the city, a time in which the Fallas festivities burn away winter worries in a homage
to the oncoming spring. Originally a pagan ritual brought to the area in distant times, the Catholic religion now celebrates the tradition with over 700
Fallas (large and small paper-mache monuments) mounted over wooden frames and burnt to cinders in a tribute to St. Joseph and the coming of the spring solstice.
The festivities also include a flower offering to Our Lady of the Forsaken, Patroness Saint of Valencia. Participants carry baskets of flowers and the women’s costumes play a large part in
the festivities as well. Valencia is located on the Spanish Mediterranean coastline and the history dates back more than 21 centuries when it was founded by the Romans in 138 B.C.
In addition to the Fallas there is much to see and do otherwise in Valencia. You can visit America´s Cup Port or take a guided tour of the historic quarter for starters. On the tour check out the
Central Market, La Lonja and the Cathedral complex too and stop in for a horchata, the famous artisanal tiger-nut beverage for which Valencia is known.
There is also a brand new opera house in Valencia, Palau de les Arts and you won’t want to miss the additional cultural aspects such as the Hemisférico, Museo de las Ciencias, and the
Oceanográfico, Europe´s largest Aquarium.
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