Overview

Often overlooked by visitors, Zaragoza is in fact a leading business as well as communication center in the northeastern quadrant of Spain where international fairs and conferences are frequently held. The renowned 16th century Basílica del Pilar has attracted pilgrims who worship the Virgin from all over the country for centuries, and the city has long been a cauldron of several cultures that it has earned the nickname of "City of the Four Cultures". Awash with exquisite cathedrals and palaces dating to the time of the Romans and the Moors, and characterized by a convivial lifestyle that is unparalleled except by those of the very big cities, it's easy to warm into Zaragoza's climate as if this is a home away from home.

History

The fertile plain of the Ebro river had attracted the settlement of several Iberian tribes for over 2,000 years ago, but it was the Romans who established a city here in 24 B.C. It fell to the Moors in 714 A.D. and was called Medina Albayda - "The White City". Visitors during this period acknowledged Medina Albayda as a cosmopolitan city for traders as well as an important slave market. In 1118, King Alfonso I of Aragón reclaimed the city back to the Christian monarchs and by the 16th century Zaragoza's economy prospered considerably and several building projects were undertaken. Zaragoza then went through the period of ups and downs from the 17th up to the 19th century. Since the 1960s, however, the city's economy has been revived and it has grown dramatically both in terms of population and prestige.

Geography & Climate

Zaragoza is located in the center valley of the mighty Ebro river in the northeastern part of Spain. To the north and south lie its sister provinces of Huesca and Teruel which altogether make up the Autonomous Community of Aragón. To the west are Navarre, La Rioja and both Castiles, whereas Catalonia lies to the east. Its diverse topography which is composed of desert, forest, and mountains has resulted in some extreme climate. Winter can be freezing with a temperature reaching as low as -0° C in the mountains whereas summer can soar as high as over 35° C.