Zaragoza - It was founded some 2000 years ago, and Old-Iberians, Romans, Goths and Arabians equally left their heritage. Zaragoza as well includes important
buildings of Spanish baroque.
Zaragoza, capital of Aragón, is often said to be the most Spanish city in Spain. The city's appeal lies in the fact that it has been left relatively untouched by tourism: most travellers know it only as a train station on the way from Barcelona to Madrid. Attractions include the Aljafería, the greatest Moorish edifice outside Andalucía, the Roman Forum of ancient Caesaraugusta,
The Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar. This
church is one of the most visited places of pilgrimage in all Spain, consecrated to the "Holy Virgin of Pilar".
Palacio de la Aljafería This splendid king's palace of 11th
century is one of very few remaining Moorish buildings of the dynasty "Taifas".
La Audiencia, in the street Conde de Aranda, was built in 1551and served as residence to the Counts of Morata. It is considered one of the most beautiful palaces in Aragón.
The Roman Town- Walls The rests of the Roman fortifications, of 3rd century, are a landmark of Zaragoza. Very well conserved parts you can find close to the Tower of Zuda and to the church Iglesia de la Magdalena, alongside Ebro river.
Excursiones:
24 kilometer from Uncastillo is located Sos del Rey Católico, another town which seems to be a medieval museum. It is surrounded by impressive town-walls with seven doors, and has a fortress that is well worth seeing. When you walk through its picturesque narrow lanes you may think that time really has stood still here for 700 years.
Finally you arrive to Yesa, in a great landscape with an impressive storage lake,
known as "Lago de los Pirineos".
The Route of Wine
Cariñena is the home of the well-known wine D.O. Cariñena. Apart of offering the possibility to try this great drink at the place where it is produced, this small town is worth a visit also for its colossal town-walls, its town-hall in typical aragonesian
style of 16th century, and its fortificated baroque-church.
The church Santuario de Nuestra Señora de las Lagunas, at 7 kilometers from Cariñena, is certainly one of the most beautiful baroque buildings in all the region. In Fuentetodos you may visit the birth-place of great artist Goya.
Daroca is enclosed by town-walls of 4 kilometers length, with beautiful doors you have to pass still today to enter the town. Its skyline, with at least 100 towers in Arabian style, is truly breath-taking.
What to eat : Some of the best known regional specialities are: Bacalao al Ajoarriero, cod-fish with garlic and eggs, Huevos al Salmorejo, eggs with a sauce of asparagus, Longaniza de Fuentes", a highly appreciated kind of sausage, Ternasco Asado, roasted veal, Pollo a la Chilindrón, chicken in a sauce of cured ham, tomatoes, onions and paprika, Cordero a la Pastora, "Lamb Sheppard's style", Lomo de Cerdo a la Zaragozana, cutlett, and Recao, made of beans, potatoes and rice.
The excellent wines of the region, Cariñena, Borja, Paniza, Lecera and Valle de Jalón, are a perfect company to the recipes mentioned above.
Traditional sweets are Turrones, Roscones and Mostillo.
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