The capital of Aragon stands as a city of contrasts, where history and faith have woven a unique architectural tapestry. Few know that this city is the only one in the world that houses two active cathedrals: the SEO of the Savior and the Basilica del Pilar. Both not only share the maximum ecclesiastical hierarchy, but are also mute witnesses of centuries of history, art and spirituality that have shaped the character of the city.
The coexistence of two active cathedrals in the same city is an architectural rarity that reflects the rich cultural heritage of Zaragoza. This uniqueness is not the result of chance, but the result of a historical legacy that has seen the city transform and adapt throughout the centuries.
The Plaza del Pilar, a neuralgic center of the city, is the scenario where both cathedrals rise majestic, offering premises and visitors an unparalleled stamp. This space is not only a social and cultural meeting point, but also a reflection of Zaragoza identity, where tradition and modernity coexist in perfect harmony.
The presence of these two temples in the same enclave gives the city a unique attraction, making it an essential destination for art and history lovers.
The SEO of the Savior
The Savior Cathedral, known as SEO, is an architectural compendium that covers centuries of history. Erected on the foundations of the old mosque of Zaragoza, its initial construction in Romanesque style was expanded in successive stages, incorporating gothic elements, mudejares, Renaissance and baroque.
On the outside, the parish of San Miguel Arcángel stands out as one of the masterpieces of Mudejar Aragonese, declared a World Heritage by UNESCO. Its baroque tower and the neoclassical facade add greater stylistic wealth to the whole.
The interior of the SEO, with its five ships of equal height, impresses with its amplitude and luminosity. His main altarpiece, conducted in Polychrome Alabaster, is one of the most valuable pieces of European Gothic. In addition, it houses the tapestry museum, which exhibits one of the best collections of flamenco tapestries from the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries.
After an exhaustive restoration between 1975 and 1998, SEO has recovered its original splendor and has established itself as a symbol of Zaragoza’s cultural and religious heritage.
The Basilica del Pilar
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pilar, on the shores of the Ebro, is a jewel of the Aragonese Baroque and one of the most visited temples in Spain. According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to the apostle Santiago in this place in the year 40 DC, giving her a column of Jaspe – the “Pilar” – and asking to build a temple in her honor.
The current structure is the result of various interventions over the centuries. Inside highlights the dome painted by Francisco de Goya, ‘Regina Martyrum’, considered one of her best works. In addition, the Pilarista museum retains donated jewels and mantles over the centuries in honor of the Virgen del Pilar.
For those who wish to contemplate Zaragoza from the heights, the Basilica offers the possibility of climbing its Mirador tower. An elevator elevates visitors to a height of 62 meters, offering a unique panoramic view of the EBRO and the historic center.
The Basilica del Pilar is not only a center of spirituality and devotion, but also a cultural reference that attracts thousands of visitors every year, consolidating as the most emblematic monument of Aragon.
A singularity recognized by the Holy See
The coexistence of two active cathedrals in Zaragoza was not always a peaceful fact. For centuries, both venues played ecclesiastical primacy, generating tensions among their respective councils.
The situation reached such an extent that, in 1676, Pope Clemente X intervened promulgating the bull of union, which decreed the union of both churches under a single council and recognized the two as official cathedrals of the city.
The uniqueness of Zaragoza, with its two active cathedrals, is a phenomenon that transcends the religious and the architectural. It represents the city’s ability to keep its traditions alive while evolving and adapts to modern times. This balance between the past and the present, between the sacred and the everyday, makes Zaragoza a fascinating destiny that invites to be explored and admired.
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