Zaragoza, the capital of the water

Have you ever heard of Zaragoza?

There is a place by a river where the Spanish cultures have been meeting for millenniums. Zaragoza is a city by the Iber, the river that gives name to the peninsula.

Zaragoza is strategically located in the northeast Spain, and therefore it is one of the most important cities in Spain. There are several ways to get to the capital of Iber, there is an international airport, there are important highways from Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia, and there are high-speed trains from Madrid and Barcelona. Zaragoza hosted the Zaragoza 2008 International Exhibition, raising awareness of water issues. The city transformed itself becoming a modern city as any European city to consider. New ways of public transport, like trams, bike renting, and hydrogen buses started to drive its citizens to enjoy the broad culture offer of the city.

Zaragoza's history changed in 2008, but centuries of history is written in its streets and buildings. When ancient Romans sailed the river up to this area they decided to establish their colony in an ancient village on the bank of three different rivers. Caesar gave the name of Caesaraugusta to the city writing its destiny. For thousands of years the place has resulted very important for lots of cultures that have printed their signals in the stones and bricks of the city.

As part of the Roman Empire Zaragoza reached an important place in civilised cities, there is a route that shows the impact of Roman civilisation in the city and the important affair with river Iber and the Empire.

Muslim culture had a strong influence in the city, highly represented in a beautiful palace. Moreover La Aljafería, which is the name of this surprising palace, has always been a political key of the region. When the time of the kingdoms arrived Zaragoza became the capital of the Aragon Kingdom, and this palace was the head office of all the different kings until the kingdom married to Castilla Kingdom and Spain started as a state.

Then Catholic Spain was largely represented in this city. Its symbol of Christianity is El Pilar basilica, with Goya paintings in its ceilings. Furthermore El Pilar square is the heart of the city, where everything happens. 12th October is the main festivity and this square became home to thousands of international people that devoted to the Virgin and came to the city to celebrate, there is a week of music and good fun. But, where do we go out? El Tubo is the biggest sin there; this area is full of small pubs where you can try lots of tasteful tapas, wines, and beers. The soul of the city concentrates there, it is an amazing experience to walk through the old part of the city stopping at each pub and trying their specialities.

As a whole Zaragoza is a city where its history has marked it with lots of different places to visit, to learn, and to enjoy.

By Rubén Tull - Zaragoza.