Greetings from Zaragoza.

I have been wanting to see more of Spain. And lacking any friends that are willing to make a definite plan, I started planning myself.

So a few weeks ago, I booked a weekend in Zaragoza…about half way between Barcelona and Madrid.

I’m staying in an AirBnB with Jesus, a native of Zaragoza.

Zaragoza was first settled by the Iberian peoples known as Sedetani. In the First Century BC, Augustus Caesar arrived and “humbly” renamed the city, “Caesaraugusta.” …which became Zaragoza.

The Romans built all of the the expected accoutrements of a Roman city, including a forum, baths and theatre.

After a flood, the Romans raised the level of the city and rebuilt the forum.

It is thought it might have been the Apostle James who had built a chapel on the site of the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar.

There are two cathedrals. The Cathedral La Seo and the Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar.

I also toured art museums featuring the Spanish artist, Goya, a native of Zaragoza and Pablo Gargallo.

As usual, I tried to do too much. On Saturday alone, I walked more than 25,000 steps! As I write this, my legs are tired!

On Sunday, I did less. But I still toured churches, towers, museums, etc.

Monday morning, I went to the Aljaferia Palace. If you know the Alfumbra in Granada, this is similar, if smaller.

After the decline of the Roman Empire, the Moors conquered Zaragoza in the 8th Century. The tall tower was built in the 8th Century. But the palace, Aljaferia wasn’t built until the latter half of the 11th Century.

Less than a century later, Alfonso I reconquered Zaragoza for Aragón. Today the building is the seat of the Aragonese parliament.

This afternoon (Monday), I will head home to Valencia.

Thanks for reading.