ZGZ

A few weekends ago we went to Zaragoza. A lot our Spanish student-friends that study at the campus here in Soria are from there and had told us lots of exciting things about it so we had ganas to go and see what all the fuss was about. I had already had my appetite whetted by a previous trip to Aragon in December: a day-trip to Tarazona, a quaint little village on the outskirts of the region.

For the first time ever in Soria Shore history, we decided to book an apartment for the weekend – mainly because we couldn’t find a hostel with availability… and the price of the apartment actually worked out quite well between us, despite it being an 8-person apartment for a group of 5. Luxury!

As we were arriving fairly late in the day on the Friday, sight-seeing was never going to be high on the list of priorities. Checking out the tapas selection, experiencing the night-life and going to strip-club/Cabaret bar El Plata was, however!

Although the idea of going to a Cabaret bar where there would be full-frontal nudity wasn’t exactly an appealing one, the place was recommended to us by various people: it was famous in Zaragoza and it was free-entry, even though we did pay excessively for our drinks….

It was surprising to see so many (older) people there – weirder still that the 60-somethings had come with their other halves – but after the initial discomfort and not knowing what to expect, I started to relax and enjoy myself. Although you might think it degrading, in hindsight I see the show as a celebration of the human form via interpretive dance and comical sketches.

The next day was filled with less human reproductive organs. Zaragoza boasts 2 beautiful cathedrals that are very close to each other in the aptly-named Plaza de las Catedrales. We went to La Seo first which was lovely. I’m running out of superlatives to describe the ornate interiors and exteriors of Spain’s cathedrals, but rest-assured it was architecturally stunning inside and out.

The Plaza de las Catedrales with the Basilica on the left and La Seo directly in front. A lively, fabulous open space with every corner enriched by Zaragoza’s impressive history and culture.

Then we checked out the Museo del Foro de Caesaraugusta (the ancient name for Zaragoza) which held the archaeological remains of the ancient Roman city before the pièce de résistance of the city, the Basilica of Our Lady the Pillar.

The Basilica’s unconventional structure and exterior tiling are typical of Baroque-style architecture and is a good example of the ancient moorish influence on the region.

The Basilica is more impressive still inside where the focus is on a small wooden statue of the Virgin and a column which is believed to have appeared before Saint James to motivate him to continue with his religious mission. Interesting fact: this is the same Saint that gives the name to the famous religious pilgrimage across Spain, The Way of Saint James (El Camino de Santiago).

There was some daily ritual going on when we entered where a presumably a pre-chosen group of people were singing as the robes on the column were being changed. These are apparently changed daily and there are certain times of the month where the Virgin appears ‘unclothed’.

Before dinner in our swanky apartment, we had time to go and visit the Museo del Teatro, ruins of the ancient Roman theatre. Maybe it was the literature nerd in me that made me a lot more excited about some old rock than I should have been, but I genuinely found this whole outdoor exhibit very interesting and informative. 😀

Imagining what kind of play might’ve been staged in the Museo del Teatro de Ceasaraugusta.

Before we left Zaragoza the following day, we had to make a stop at the Aljafería, a medieval, Islamic palace from the 11th Century. It was very reminiscent of the Alcázar in Sevilla but on a smaller scale. Still, the weather was perfect for strolling around the palace and getting our final fix of Zaragoza’s rich cultural heritage before heading back to Soria.

Team Soriaaugusta loving life in the stunning Aljafería Palace.