The Pilar Festivities in Zaragoza

Hello guys. what's up?

Today is a national party day in Spain!  If you don't know, 12th Oct is the Hispanic Day and Pilar Day. I'd like to talk you a little about The Pilar Festivities..
Like San Fermines, the Falles, the April Fair, the Tomato Festival... The Pilar Festivities is one of the most popular festivities in Spain. It's held for nine days at Zaragoza,the main important day is  the last one, on 12th october, today! ^_^ 
Every year, millions of pilgrims go to Zaragoza in the northeast of Spain to venerate the image of the Virgin of Pilar that is preserved in the Basilic’s chapel.
The Basílic of Our Lady of Pilar  (better known simply as El Pilar) is one of two major cathedrals in the heart of the city.. If you are interesting in this kind of tourism... Zaragoza It's an important pilgrimage site, very remarkable.



I'll recomend you to see the stunning Floral Offering that will take place in the Pilar Square, from early in the morning pilgrims dressed in traditional costumes and people from all over the world offering thousand of roses, lillies, orchids, and gladiolus to make a flower robe for the virgin.
The day after, in the morning there will be the Offering of Fruits and at dusk you can enjoy the procession of 'Rosary of Crystal' will take place, a procession of 30 carriages with stunning and beautiful crystal lanterns that runs in the dark through the streets of the old town of Zaragoza.

Oh! Don't worry, there's not only religious events in the city, during all the 9 days you also can enjoy other kind of events like the Giants and Big-Heads  parades, many rock and jazz music concerts that will be held almost everywhere in the city...


TIP: Book  accommodation early during the festival: the city's population triples during this period!
Book it!

As i said at the beginning, today is also the Hispanic Day 'Día de la Hispanidad', a national holiday to celebrate of Columbus's discovery of the Americas.

Another good option is the big military parade held in Madrid at the Hispanic day. Anyway if you prefer the charm of tradition, spend this day in Zaragoza, i swear you that will be really cool.  ^_~

Zaragoza

Hi everyone!

Zaragoza is one of Spain's major cities. The capital of the Region of Aragon is located on the banks of the Ebro River, halfway between Madrid and Barcelona. There are many reasons to visit this wonderful destination!

스페인 북동부 아라곤지방에 있는 에브로강 남쪽 강변에 자리잡고 있는 사라고사는 로마 아우구스투스황제시절에 도시가 건설된 이래로 에브로강의 풍부한 수량에 의해서 번성한 도시이다. 사라고사 도심은 에브로강 남쪽에 대성당과 필라광장(Plaza del Pilar)을 중심으로 형성되어 있다. 18~19세기에 완료된 것으로 보이는 바로크양식의 대성당이 도시의 중심이 되고, 대성당 옆으로 사라고사 시청을 비롯한 공공기관들이 들어서 있다.

2,000 years of history. You will find a stunning legacy 

of monuments in the streets of the city, vestiges of the Roman, Moorish, Jewish and Christian communities who left their mark on the place: Roman ruins such as the Circus; Aljafería Palace; Mudejar-style churches, with the UNESCO World Heritage designation; Baroque gems like the Pilar Basilica; the work of brilliant artist Fancisco de Goya...  So, If you like art, then Zaragoza is the perfect destination for you!.


About leisure: enjoy a variety of activities. Theatres, cinemas, exhibitions, concerts, festivals, fairs... In Zaragoza  an spectacular year-round cultural programme awaits you. The cultural life of the city is intense. See for yourself in the city streets or at venues like the Auditorium, the Principal Theatre or the Aragon Conference Centre. You can find all the different artistic styles in this city.

Enjoy delicious gastronomy on Zaragoza! You can't  leave the city without  going out for Tapas, is very very tipical.
To start off your tapas crawl, head over to the area known as "el Casco" which is basically the old part of town.  Turn off the busy shopping street of Don Jaime and go up Calle Mayor and tapas bars start appearing everywhere.  Find your way to Santa Marta Square or San Miguel Square, where you will find two plazas packed with bars and bustling terraces full with people. For some of the best and most famous bars, wander your way through the maze of narrow streets and take it all in as you come across bar after bar, where one drink turns into another and each favourite takes the place of the other. You will find yourself doing as they do and loving every last minute of it..

Zaragoza is a major shopping city. the city has a range of shops to suit all tastes. From pedestrian areas to large shopping centres, not forgetting the street markets. Stroll through the streets of the city and feel their bustle and vitality

Oh! you don't miss visit

    Nuestra Señora del Pilar Basilica
    Caesar Augusta Roman Remains Museum
    Aljafería Palace
    Zaragoza Market
    Pablo Serrano Museum
    Santa Engracia Church
    La Seo Chapterhouse Tapestry Museum