The McKenneys: Zaragoza

After convincing the kids that there was a better place for children in the next city, we were able to get back on the road to Zaragoza. We got there in the afternoon and stayed for 2 days. We stopped into the tourist office when we got into town and they gave us directions to an indoor playgroup in a mall. It was late in the day so we decided to spend the rest of the afternoon there and start early the next day with our sightseeing. We started our sightseeing with the Palace of Aljaferia. This is a very interesting palace because the architecture is of three different styles, corresponding to construction performed during three different periods of time: During the 11th century, the palace was built by the King Abu Jafar Moctadir. It was refurbished in the 12th century in Mudejar style after the reconquest of the city by the Christians. An extension to the palace was ordered by the Catholic Kings between 1491 and 1492. Next we visited what is probably the banner monument in Zaragoza, the Basilica of the Pilar, which is one of the most important sanctuaries in the Catholic world devoted to Virgin Mary. Popular belief is that Virgin Mary still living in Jerusalem came to Zaragoza to comfort the Apostle Santiago. She brought the column (pilar) to build the first chapel and the present day basilica was built up around it. What catches the eye from the outside are the 13 steeples and multicolored tiles of the roof, not to mention just the huge scale of this church (takes up a city block). On the inside are beautiful works of art by Goya among other artists. Scale is noticed again on the inside, especially when looking at the pillars, which are the size of a small house. Parishioners singing villancicos (christmas carols, focused on jesus) gave it a very warm feeling. This cathedral also displayed a life size belem that you actually walk through. More sites of Zaragoza include Puerta del Carmen (the only original gateway to the city still standing in the form of a Roman triumphal arch), the stone bridge (15th century stone bridge flanked by four bronze lions), and the Cathedral of San Salvador. After a long day of sight seeing, we treated the kids to another stop at the indoor playground, which we all enjoyed thoroughly and ensured a good night sleep.

Palace of Aljaferia