Zaragoza

Zaragoza is linked by legends to the beginnings of Christianity in Spain. According to legend, the Virgin Mary appeared miraculously to Saint James the Great in the 1st century, standing on a pillar. This legend is commemorated by a famous Catholic basilica called Nuestra Señora del Pilar ("Our Lady of the Pillar").

The event, called "Las Fiestas del Pilar", is celebrated on October 12 which is a major fiesta in Zaragoza. Since it coincided in 1492 with the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus, that day is also celebrated as El Día de la Hispanidad (Columbus Day, literally Hispanic Day) by Spanish-speaking people worldwide.

Near the basilica on the banks of the Ebro are located the city hall, the Lonja (old currency exchange), the cathedral or La Seo Cathedral, and the ruins of the Roman city wall.

Near this area is a tapas zone called El Tubo and a nightclub district called El Casco. Other nightclub districts are La Zona and El Royo. The city is home to a number of popular gay and lesbian establishments as well.

Outside View of the AljaferíaSome distance from the centre of the old city is an expansive Moorish castle/palace called the Aljafería, one of the northernmost important Moorish buildings in Spain and the setting selected by Giuseppe Verdi for his opera Il Trovatore (The Troubadour). The Aragonese parliament currently sits in the building.

Zaragoza is linked by Renfe's AVE high-speed rail service to Madrid and to Lleida in Catalonia.