ZaragozaOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

From Roman Caesaraugusta to Moorish Saraqusta

Zaragoza's history begins over 2,000 years ago as Caesaraugusta, a Roman colony founded by Emperor Augustus in 14 BC. It became a significant city with a forum, public baths, a theater, and a river port on the Ebro, considered the third most important in Hispania. Remains of these Roman foundations are visible in the city's museums.

After the Roman Empire's decline, Zaragoza came under Visigothic rule, followed by Moorish occupation from 714 to 1118. During these four centuries, the city was known as Saraqusta and developed as a Taifa kingdom. The Aljafería Palace, built in the second half of the 11th century, was a recreational palace for the Banu Hud dynasty.

Christian Reconquest and the Sieges of Zaragoza

The Christian reconquest of Zaragoza in 1118 by Alfonso I the Battler marked a new chapter. The Aljafería Palace became a residence for Aragonese kings. Over centuries, the palace was adapted and expanded, incorporating Aragonese Mudéjar architectural styles. In 1492, it was converted into a palace for the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella.

The city faced hardship during the Spanish War of Independence (Peninsular War) in 1808 and 1809, enduring two sieges by French forces. The city's inhabitants, led by figures like General José de Palafox and Agustina de Aragón, resisted, though the city fell in February 1809. The sieges left much of Zaragoza in ruins, with an estimated 54,000 deaths among soldiers and civilians. The city's current appearance, including the Plaza del Pilar, is partly a result of reconstruction efforts following the Spanish Civil War.

• —Aljafería Palace — This fortified medieval palace from the 11th century shows the architecture of the Taifa of Zaragoza. It served as a royal residence for Moorish and later Aragonese kings, and as a prison for the Inquisition. Today, it houses the regional parliament of Aragon.
• —Plaza del Pilar — This large pedestrian square is the center of Zaragoza. It contains the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, the Cathedral of El Salvador (La Seo), the Lonja de Mercaderes (a Renaissance building), and the City Hall. The Goya Monument and the Fountain of Hispanidad are also on the square.
• —Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar — This Baroque basilica, built between 1681 and 1872, is a Marian pilgrimage site. It has eleven cupolas, some decorated with frescoes by Francisco Goya, who was from Aragon.
• —Cathedral of El Salvador (La Seo) — Next to the Basílica del Pilar, La Seo is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its blend of Romanesque, Gothic, Mudéjar, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural styles. Its tower incorporates elements of the minaret from the Great Mosque of Saraqusta.
• —Museo del Foro de Caesaraugusta — Below Plaza de La Seo, this museum displays the excavated remains of the Roman forum, the ancient city's administrative and social hub. Visitors can see foundations of porticoes, remnants of a market, lead pipes, and a 1st-century sewer.
• —Museo del Puerto Fluvial de Caesaraugusta — This museum preserves the stone quay of Roman Caesaraugusta, showing the city's connection with the Ebro River and its trade routes.

The periods from mid-May to late July and from mid-August to mid-October are suitable for outdoor activities in Zaragoza, with a peak in the third week of September. Spring (March-May) offers mild weather for walking and outdoor dining. Autumn (September-November) also has pleasant temperatures, and the Fiestas del Pilar are celebrated around October 12.

Summers (June-August) can be hot and dry, with average highs around 32°C in July, which may be intense for daytime sightseeing. Many residents take vacation during these months. Winters (December-February) are dry with low temperatures, averaging 3°C in January.

Zaragoza is connected by high-speed trains (AVE) from Madrid and Barcelona, with journeys taking around 3 hours 45 minutes. Buses are also available from these cities and other Spanish and some French towns. All trains and buses arrive at the Zaragoza-Delicias station.

The historic center is walkable. Public transport includes buses and trams. A single ticket costs €1.60 (day) or €1 (night). For frequent use, a Bus Card costs €7 (including a €2 fee and €5 credit) and reduces the fare to €0.43 per trip, allowing free transfers within an hour. Cards are sold at newsstands and customer service offices, and can be topped up at various locations.

Parking in Zaragoza's city center can be difficult due to narrow streets and regulated parking zones (blue and orange zones). On-street parking in the blue zone has a maximum limit of 2 hours. Using underground car parks, especially in the Casco Histórico, or booking a space online in advance, is recommended.

Zaragoza has a low-emission zone (ZBE Casco Histórico) enforced Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 20:00.