Sceptic Fountain refurbished (Fuente de los incrédulos)

Sceptic Fountain refurbished (Fuente de los incrédulos)

In the 18th century, after three centuries studiying possibilites, alternatives and on works, a great Canal arrived to Zaragoza.
The "sceptic fountain" was opened in the nearest point to city centre
Today, latter 2013, it has been refurbished and you can visit it again

A part of our history

The Ebro river crosses the centre of Aragon but it doesn't irrigate anything. It is like the Nile in Egypt. A lot of water but just only in their nearby you will see irrigation.
In the 16th century a Canal was projected. It was the "Canal Imperial de Aragon", and the word "Imperial" comes because first king to get the project was the Emperor Charles the 5th of Germany and king 1st of Spain. Hence "Imperial".

In the 18th century the project was taken again and thanks to Ramon Pignatelli it was made. A lot of people were very sceptic about them. It was a huge canal that made possible to have water in the countries near the Ebro but impossible to take water as well as possible for little vessels. In the 18th century it was easier to transport freight in the canal than in a cart or horse-wagon.

When the water arrived to Zaragoza (in fact, the little village of Casablanca, today just one more neighbourhood in the city), Ramon Pignatelli opened a fountain. It was called the "sceptic fountain"

And... to make it quite clear he wrote ("Incredulorum convictioni et viatorum commodo." Anno MDCCLXXXVI) what it means (in Latin) "to convince sceptics and for a rest of travellers" Year 1786.

Still you can see that sentence.

The fountain today. How to arrive there?

This autumn, after some works, the fountain has been refurbished.

Although it is not in city centre, it is quite easy to arrive there.
Tramway L1 stop "Casablanca" is about 400 m ahead (and no possibility to get lost. It is in the same avenue)

Visit is absolutely free. It will take you only 15 minutes to visit it and the surroundings (and just pay a return ticket in tramway).

You can also try to start there the Green Ring of Zaragoza... or either you start it, you will walk around this fountain.

and some Canal facilities for former vessels just behind this fountain (Casablanca Canal locks)

A big wheel in the Ebro river

A big wheel in the Ebro river

Wanna have a STUNNING VIEW over the city?

Zaragoza major days

In the second week of October Zaragoza has, for 9 days, the major week. There are a lot of activities, concerts, leisures, etc...

Some of them are several leisures rides that are shettled in a resort in a specific location

But... this year we have a great news.

One of those leisure rides, a big wheel, will not be in its resorts but... just located in the Ebro river.

So, we have a 70 metre panoramic wheel besides the river and close to city centre.

Price is 5 euro and will be available (at least) for October 2013

How to arrive there?

By tramway, La Chimenea station is the nearest

If you are in Plaza del Pilar, just 500 metre walking or so.

Some pics

(taken from newspapers mainly)

Ebro vessels. Sailing in the river

Ebro vessels. Sailing in the river

There is a summer service to have a journey over the river. It is a whole new perspective of the city. It worths a lot.

Which is the journey?

This year (2013) a new company has started to manage the service. They will offer to go from Pilar to Expo area.

Pilar dock is just here:

https://maps.google.es/maps?q=zaragoza&hl=es&ie=UTF8&ll=41.65679,-0.877056&spn=0.001074,0.004823&sll=40.396764,-3.713379&sspn=4.484348,19.753418&t=h&hnear=Zaragoza,+Arag%C3%B3n&z=18

(although google maps is not updated, but just after Basilica in the Ebro river and going down. No possibility to get lost)

Expo dock is more or less here

https://maps.google.es/maps?q=zaragoza&hl=es&ie=UTF8&ll=41.667454,-0.895965&spn=0.002148,0.009645&sll=40.396764,-3.713379&sspn=4.484348,19.753418&t=h&hnear=Zaragoza,+Arag%C3%B3n&z=17

(and that part was under construction when the picture so it is not updated... but take a look to the area in a map)

Which are their fares and timetables?

Tuesday to Sunday

Departures from Pilar dock: 12:00, 13:00, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00 and 21:00

Departures from Expo dock, about half an hour later

Trip would take 25 minutes to go, and 25 more return

You can just go and return or decide to stay for a while in the area

Price is 10 euro for an adult return ticket.

There are reductions for children and senior citizens

The company that manages the vessels is the same that manages the Aquarium . So then, if you buy a return ticket you will have a 30% reduction in the Aquarium

Tickets can be bought in the same vessel and, if you are in the Aquarium, you can buy them also there (it is the same company).

What can I visit if I go to the Expo area?

Aquarium

Bridge Pavilion

and the Water Park Luis Buñuel

Aquarium does not close at noon so you can go in the morning when you want, visit it, have a lunch there or in the Water Park, having a walk in the area and returning in the evening

It really worths

As a detail:

and.... wanna have a lunch or just a beer with something else in the Aquarium terrace?

Look at this

Going by taxi from the airport to city centre.

Going by taxi from the airport to city centre.

How much is it going a taxi journey cost?

Taxi fares

There are several fares in Zaragoza for taxis.
Fare 1 is for weekly days. Fare 2 is for night and weekend services (22:00 to 6:00).
Fare 3 and 4 are the same ones but used for not inner city. This is... if you go from city centre to anywhere out of inner city they will apply fare 1 (or 2) until one specific point (there are signals in the street/road) and later fare 3 (or 4) which is more expensive.
If you go out of Zaragoza municipality territory, fare will be calculated based in kilometres (but there is not many difference, indeed, with the fare numbers price).
The total cost will depend even of the time that they have been waiting (or going under 20 km/h), even of kilometres.
This is, you can consider the number of kilometres as an estimation but in a traffic light in red the price will increase a little because "waiting time". And it will be more expensive if the taxi is in a traffic congestion and running slowly than if it goes faster (if it drives fast you will notice that taximetre will run fast too... but you will arrive to destination fast too also).
Furthermore, there is a specific extra fare if the taxi departs from the airport.

so... how is it going to cost me?

It is not easy to calculate, but taxi drivers have set this pannel in the airport where you will take a taxi, in English and Spanish and you will be able to check fares. They are just approximate. Final fare to pay is which would be indicated in the taximetre in any case. But it is written for weekends and for weekly days. So you can decide if taking a taxi or not.
As an example, "city centre" will cost 19 or 26 euro depending of weekly days or weekend.
Railway and bus station (Estacion Delicias) will cost 17 to 22.
Hospital Miguel Servet and Hospital Clinico are 18/19 to 23/24 euro (they are quite near).
The rest of destinations are for other towns in the nearby, exhibition centre or industrial areas.
As said... it is not official but you can know, more or less, how much will it cost to you.

Is there any other option for mobility?

Yes. Every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday and 60 minutes in Sunday there is a bus that takes you from the airport to Delicias railway and bus Station and to city centre.
A single ticket costs 1,70 euro so you can decide if it wonders to take a taxi or not.
Time for a bus to city centre is about 30 minutes. Final stop is in P. Maria Agustin, corner with Cesar Augusto.
should you have a bus card or so, inside Zaragoza, connecting with another bus or tramway is free.

Renaissance walking tour

Renaissance walking tour

Another walking guided tour. This time related to Renaissance in Zaragoza.

What are I'm going to visit?

Walking along the city with a guide you will visit seven monuments:

- Pilar Basilic
- Renaissance Market
- Camon Aznar Musem Palace
- Real Maestranza Palace
- Sastago Palace
- St. Engracia Basilic
- Infanta Courtyard (inside ibercaja bank)

A guide will go with you with explanations of all these monuments

When are these tours available?

Once per month on saturdays at 11:00.
Ask in the tourism office for further information


Cost is 5,50 EUR for adults.

Roman city guided walk

Roman city guided  walk

Once per month there is a walking tour with a guide around Roman heritage.

What kind of Roman heritage can I visit in Zaragoza?

- Roman Walls
- Roman Forum
- Roman Baths
- Roman River Port
- Roman Theatre

and inside the Zaragoza Museum there are some archeological rests about the Roman era, not only in Zaragoza but also in the surroundings.


Roman Walls are quite easy to be visited. They are in the own street, between the tramway and Plaza del Pilar.

For the other four monuments you can buy a pack to visit togeter

But you can also ask for a guided tour around them. They will tell you a lot of things about Roman era and later, you can visit any museum by yourself.

What is the journey to be done?

This one. Meeting is at Torreon de la Zuda tourism office, just beside Roman Walls.

When can I visit them?

Once per month, one sunday out of four at 10:30

Tickets cost 5,5 euro and may be bought at tourism office in advance (and book your visit)

Are they other visits to be done?

Yes. Tourism office prepares a great deal of guided visits. Just have a look to this page

Walking city tours

Walking city tours

Zaragoza tourism prepares several tours around the city.
Do you want to know more?. Sometimes it is the best option to have a quick explanation about the city.

What kind of city tours can I find?

A lot of them.

Main ones are:
- Roman city
- Renaissance
- Goya in Zaragoza
- Mudejar Art in Zaragoza


and there are several ones

When are those city tours?

You can ask in the tourism office but for instance, the main four ones are on Saturdays or Sundays morning, one every week while all the year.
But ask for it because they can start at 10:30, 11:00, etc...

What about tickets?

Tickets may be bought in advance via internet or in the tourism office.
Price for a single ticket can be 5 to 6 euro. You can hire a visit for a group with a whole price.




Be aware that this page will be updated with links to those walking city tours and giving more information

Currencies, cards and money in Zaragoza

Currencies, cards and money in Zaragoza

Only Euro. It is the official currency... but let's talk about money in Zaragoza

Currencies accepted

Only Euro coins/banknotes will be accepted anywhere. I haven't seen any place accepting other currencies incluiding US dollars, Swiss Francs or British Pound.

Until 2001 the official currency was Spanish Peseta. Even though a lot of years are run since then, it would be possible to find something (specially those things with a higher price) written with the two currencies, although peseta is not used anymore.

Where can I exchange money?

As far as there are less people with foreing currencies who ask for exchange, it is not usual to see exchange business.
But in almost all banks (never mind which one), all most common currencies will be changed with the official rate and usually a fee (not high. When there were a lot of exchange agencies, banks had the lowest fees).
Banks usually open 8:00 to 8:30 and close 14:00 to 14:30. Depending of the bank, they can open on Thursday evening.

Some specific bank agencies have a different timetable (for instance one of CAI in P.Independencia and two of CAI and ibercaja in the station, as well as several in shopping centres but also several banks for all their agencies can open several hours in the evening), incluiding sometime saturdays.

It is enough to arrive to the desk with the foreing banknote (they will not accept coins) and they will give you the equivalent into euro currency.


Main hotels can exchange money too (and obviously their schedule is longer than banks) but they can have worst rates or fees.

Can I use my credit card?

VISA and Mastercard are often accepted in absolutely all business. Never mind if it is a hotel, restaurant or just a little shop or supermarkets.
They will, usually, ask a minimum payment (this is... for a little purchase they will ask to pay in cash, they will accept cards only for higher purchases because they will have to pay a fee for any card).

Ask to your bank about using the card in Spain (fees because abroad, rates if necessary to exchange, etc...)

You will be able to use them in cash dispensers. Just introduce it and write the amount of money you want. Ask to your bank about fees if asking money in cash dispensers (take care that... it could be cheaper and safer than carrying foreing money in cash and later asking for a currency exchange)

In a lot of cash dispensers, when they will notice that it is a foreing card, the first thing they will do is to ask about the language you want to use there. That will make your operation easier.

Almost all cash dispensers will give 10, 20 and 50 euro banknotes. If you want to have a higher banknote (for instance 100), you will have to enter inside the bank and ask for a change (2x50 =  100, just that)

I have to point that I have seen few places in Zaragoza where American Express or Diners Club are accepted. I have seen them... but they are not usually accepted. Take care about it.

Goya in Zaragoza I - Camon Aznar museum

Goya in Zaragoza I - Camon Aznar museum

Francisco de Goya (wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisco_Goya) was born in Fuendetodos, a little village near Zaragoza.
Part of his live was in Zaragoza, where he stayed while he was teenager, young man. He was married here and stayed some time while his life.

Camon Aznar museum

It is a museum property of ibercaja bank.

It was an old 16th century palace refurbished for a museum (from my point of view, it is as intereting paintings than the whole building). There are too many paintings there from 15th century to 20th century but Goya's are the main ones.

As a curiosity, Goya not only did paintings but also etchings. This means that there can be several "original etchings" taken from the original piece. He made a lot of ones in Spain and someones more in France (Bordeaux).
Camon Aznar museum is the only one that has a copy of all etchings made in Spain. They show almost all of them but in their warehouses they have the full collection.

How can I get there?

Go to the main Tourist office located in front of the town hall (middle way Cathedral and El Pilar). Go back ahead between the buildings and... just 100 metres. It is one of those buildings that you will see from the square but the main entrance is in the opposite side. But... just 100 m ahead.

Touristic bus has a stop in Cathedral square, close to museum
Tramway near stop is in Plaza de España
Behind touristic office you have a station to take your bike if you had rented a three days pass
And, anyway, it is very near to any point from the old city. If you are there, you will reach it easily walking.

Which are timetables and prices?

Entrance is free.

If you have taken a guided tour around the city centre, you will pass in front of it, and guide will make an explanation about the building and about what you will find inside.

It is open Tuesday to Saturday 10 to 14 and 17 to 21 and Sunday 10 to 14

Think in it for a late visit in Zaragoza while the week

More information (in Spanish) at: http://obrasocial.ibercaja.es/v2_ficha_centro.php?centro=36


REMEMBER: At Patio de la Infanta, in ibercaja headquarter, you will have more Goya original paintings.

Roman baths

Roman Baths

As any other main Roman city, Caesar Augusta, now Zaragoza, had its Baths. Even if they were not very big, they were enough for the population of that era and we can visit them.

Where are Roman baths?

They are here. Have a look because it is often the most difficult monument to find.
Calle San Juan y San Pedro

What about Prices and Schedules?

It is the same as other Roman Monuments.

Tuesday to Saturday, morning and evening.
Sunday morning

It will take about half an hour to make a visit.

Price is 2 euro and you can buy a pack for all the Roman Monuments (Forum, Harbour and Theatre included). Walls are obviously free.


If you have the Zaragoza card, ticket will be free. It is included there.

How are Roman Baths?

In fact you will see only one small pool. Not many have been preserved, but you will watch a video about its History and some original ruins are there.

Here you are some pictures

How can I arrive there?

If you are in city centre... try going just walking.

If you are away, nearest Touristic bus is Cathedral Sq. and nearest tramway stop is Plaza de España.

You can reach them by bike, had you rented a three days pass. There is a station in the nearby.

Roman Forum

Roman Forum

Zaragoza is named after Caesar Augusta and in fact that was the original name.
It is expected to have some ruins in the middle of the city. Let's talk about one of them: Roman Forum.

Where is the Roman Forum?

It is in front of current Cathedral.
This structure located in front of the tower is the entrance to the Forum. It is located under the square.
https://maps.google.es/?ll=41.655221,-0.876498&spn=0.001088,0.002642&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=41.65533,-0.876666&panoid=APbHbmZDqYft0RllPArqRQ&cbp=12,123.89,,0,-0.82

But it is not a normal situation for a Forum. Almost all Roman Forums where in the middle of a city. That point where the Cardum and Decumanum streets joined.

As you can see here (current old city centre map but with Roman ruins pointed) the forum is suggested to be in the cross between streets with number one and number two.

But it is in the number three of the map

Why?. The Ebro river makes an important role here. The Forum was created in the middle between the River Harbour and the Roman city centre. There are not too many important Roman cities where the Forum is not in the middle.

When does the Forum open?

Tuesday to saturday 10 to 14 and 17 to 21. Quite nice if you want a late monument visit.

Sunday 10 to 14

Price is about three euro and there is a pack for all Roman museums (also Theatre, Baths and Harbour)

They are included in the Zaragoza Card.

There are three days in the year when it is free.

What can I find inside the forum?

More or less absolutely the old Roman square, and you will notice where the forum limits were and where the first Roman houses besides the Forum started.

And a great deal of Roman ruins inside.

All under that square is former Roman heritage. 

Just have a look to these pictures

How can I arrive there?

It is just in the middle way between Central Touristic office and the Cathedral

Touristic bus has the main stop in front of it.

Nearest tramway stop is Plaza del Pilar-Murallas

or by bike if you have one or you have rented a three days pass

Almost all tours will cross in front of it.

No possibilities to get lost.

Free wifi at Zaragoza airport

Free wifi at Zaragoza airport

Just arrived to Zaragoza and need internet?.
It can be free

Wifi internet at the airport

When arriving to Zaragoza, or just before departure it is possible to have a short internet connection. Maybe enought to check other flights, your email or that stuff.
You can use any mobile company for a laptop or smartphone but roaming fares will be charged.

One telecommunication company, Movistar, (the biggest company in Spain, in fact) offers internet service within the airport and you can buy some time to be connected, always cheaper than a roaming fare.

But... now they offer the first 15 minutes free!!!

If you are going to use it, near the cafeteria you will find the best service

Foreing consulates in Zaragoza

Foreing consulates in Zaragoza

I hope you always will think you needn't to read this entrance... but better have a glance than ask for it later...

Which consulates can you find in Zaragoza?

These ones. These are countries with a consul in Zaragoza.

And you can find addresses (and sometimes phone numbers too) in this webpage. It is from the Zaragoza municipality so it is expected to be always updated

http://www.zaragoza.es/ciudad/zaragozainternacional/en/consulados.htm

In spite that almost all information is in Spanish, it is quite easy to undersant: name of the consul, country and address

Full list

This is the full list of countries with a consul in Zaragoza. For other countries you will have to go to the nearest one if you require their services (and considering the distance to nearest big cities, it will be faster to go to Madrid where you will find the general embassy).

Take a look in your country's foreing affairs ministry about services they can offer to you.



Europe

* Andorra
* Belgium
* France
* Germany
* Italy
* Portugal
* Romania
* Slovakia


America

* Dominican Rep.
* Ecuador
* El Salvador
* Chile
* Costa Rica
* Mexico
* Peru


Africa

* Cote d'Ivoire

Patio de la Infanta

Patio de la Infanta

Can you imagine a modern age coutyard inside of a bank?
Keep reading

A bit of history

In the modern age, it was very usual in Zaragoza to have snob medium palaces with a typical coutyard in the middle.

One of them, before the building was demolished, was sold to a French Antique dealer who kept it for a lot of years in Paris.

In the middle 20th century it was bought by a bank. Ibercaja. In fact, it is the mainest bank with headquarter in Zaragoza. The main building is in the absolutely city centre.

When they desgined the building they got in contact with that antique dealer and... bought the coutyard. It wasn't still re-built, just kept in a warehouse... and they bring back to Zaragoza by smuggling (it was heritage and should have to pass custom control... but they took stone by stone. Nobody knew that all stones had an unique number and were part of an old coutyard).

And today you can see it inside the bank and with several original paintings inside. Some of them are by Francisco de Goya.



This is the bank, looking from outside:

and... entering in that bank, you will find a lot of bureaus and offices but also this corner:

There are too many pictures in the internet. Just google "patio de la infanta zaragoza" and have a look... but do not forget to visit it in your next visit to Zaragoza.

Where can I find it?

Quite, quite easye. In Plaza Paraiso. I think it would be impossible to stay in Zaragoza and not having a look to this building.

Looking from outside it is just another bank headquarter more.
Looking inside... they have a stunning corner!!!

When can I visit it?

Look at here for more information
http://obrasocial.ibercaja.es/v2_ficha_centro.php?centro=4

but currently:

Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 13:30 and 18:00 to 21:00
Saturday, 11:00 to 14:00 and 18:00 to 21:00
Sunday, 11:00 to 14:00

Be aware that they have two entrances. One of them from outside and the other one from the own building.
If you are going to visit it monday to friday in the morning, you will have to enter inside the bank and ask for it.
If you are going to visit it in the evenings or weekends, you will have to enter from outside the bank (San Ignacio de Loyola street).

Are you in Zaragoza because business and no time for visits?. No problem, it closes at 21:00 monday to saturday!!!

Visit is free. Nevertheless, there are guided visits with the cost that appears in that page.


Get noticed that they open on mondays. There are not many monuments that open on mondays and you can use this day for this monument.

How can I get there?

By tramway (Pza. Aragon stop), Touristic bus (P. Pamplona 14 is the nearest) and almost any other bus lines.

Or just walking...

UPDATED

This was the old courtyard in the original location:

and ruins after demolishing

YES, you can visit this courtyard inside a central office of a bank!!!!


The same bank has a beautiful museum located in an old courtyard and with a lot of Goya paintings. It is in the city centre and free: Camon Aznar museum

Contemporany Cultural and Art Aragonese Institute (IAACC Pablo Serrano)

Contemporany Cultural and Art Aragonese Institute (IAACC Pablo Serrano)

Until the middle of the 2000s there was a single museum dedicated to the sculptor Pablo Serrano, Aragonese born in a little village in the south of the region.
In was enlarged... and its works are just part of a huge museum.

What is IAACC?

It is an enlarged museum with several floors. Two of them keep the permanent exhibition of Pablo Serrano sculptures (wikipedia entrance). But there are some more with temporary exhibitions. They can be paintings, photographs, etc...

It is one of those museums that worths a lot and sometimes it doesn't appear in any guide.

Where is IAACC Pablo Serrano museum?

It is in the Maria Agustin Boulevard.
Touristic bus stop very close to it.
Furthermore, some buses (nowadays number 20, 21 and 51 stop in the main gate). Nearest tramway stop is Plaza Aragón.

Which are its timetable and price?

Price is FREE

Look at the web for timetables. Some changes can be made, but currently it closes sunday afternoon and all the Monday, as well as the rest of the days opens until 21:00

Are you in Zaragoza for business or quite busy and want to have a look?.
No problem... it is free and closes at 21:00 tuesday to saturday!

Surf here for more information

Is there anything special more?

Yes... the terrace. You can reach (even by stairs or by lift) to the terrace and have a STUNNING cityscape view from the middle of it.

In another entry I will talk about the terrace and some pictures (all points that can be seen) but I will just say that I've seen Pyrenees and Moncayo from there (and obviously all the city).

Here's one picture I found in the web. I will post more taken by myself

San Antonio church tower.

San Antonio church tower.

In the 1940s the Italian government built a church and a cemetery for Italian soldiers who dead in Spain.
However, because no funds, the tower was just half of heigh.
Nevertheless, it worths to have a visit.

Where is San Antonio de Padua church?

It is in Paseo de Cuellar, after Pignatelli park and near the Imperial canal.

A touristic bus stop is very close to it.
Bus lines 31, 33, 34, 39 and 42 have a stop very near that church. Some of them connects with city centre or the tramway

When can the tower be visited?.

You ought ask in the own church because it is part of the parish. They have different timetables depending the season. Anyway, even if closed, a walk around the church is quite interesting.

What can I find around the San Antonio church?

Just in front of the church there is another interesting church... but inside military territory so you can only see it from the street (I've been once for an event, I had to give my name for accepted guests and security was in every corner).

They are San Fernando barracks, maybe one of those places where you have more generals rather than soldiers (they are mainly offices and bureaus).

Here's a view.

Quite a little going to the north (walking down to the city centre) you will find the Pignatelli park. It is a very small park and it has the first statue located in Zaragoza. It is Ramon de Pignatelli who built the Imperial canal.

You can have a walk along the park and visit this statue:

And finally you can go south (away from city centre) and will find the Imperial Canal. It is nice to have a look and walking around it... but we will talk about it in the entrance "Zaragoza Green Belt".


and obviously, even if it is not a cathedral, try to enter inside San Antonio church:

New Touristic Bus season 2013

New Touristic Bus season 2013

Starting in Spring, Touristic Bus keeps on going on weekends and daily in summer.
And there are some news. Take a look:

ENLARGED JOURNEY.

In spite of a 1h15m journey we will have a 2h00 journey with the touristic bus. This means that if you want to have a fast visit in any language, it will be enough to take it... and most of main monuments will be in front of you.

It will be hold by three buses having a 40 minutes frequency. As usual, first stop is in front of the cathedral and the bus will make a tour.

WHICH ARE THE NEWNESS THIS YEAR?

First of all, the bus will cross again besides Pignatelli park, Jose Antonio Labordeta park and Gran Via. They seem to be housing areas and parks... but there are some cool houses in the journey and both parks have some corners that worth a lot. We will talk about them in other blog entrances. Just think that there are stops besides there

Secondly, the bus will make a tour inside the Expo area (2008 international exhibition area) with stops very near of Bridge Pavilion and the Aquarium. It will go across a restricted area only able to some vehicles, and be aware that it is the most useful way to go to the Aquarium, Expo area and Bridge pavilion.

HOW DOES IT WORKS?

Just read this entrance according to last season touristic bus because only the journey and frequencies have been changed.

2013 Price is 8 euro.
Tickets can be booked online (ask in this forum about official webpage), in the tourist office and on board.


Timetables are the following ones: Starting, in the morning, at 10:30, and in the afternoon at 17:00, one bus every 40 minutes. In every stop you will find the exact hour.

This is, in front of the cathedral 10:30, 11:10, 11:50, 12:30 and 13:10 (last full tour that will arrive to the cathedral at 15:10). Same for afternoon: 17:00, 17:40, 18:20, 19:00 and 19:40.

Be aware that, for instance, if in the morning you are taking the first two buses you will be able to cross the cathedral stop. This is, the 10:30 bus can be taken at some other time in some other stop and will arrive at 12:30 to the cathedral, making a second tour. No need to get off. The same ticket remains valid.

But if you take the three last ones in the morning or afternoon/evening, you will have to get off in the cathedral stop and continue in the afternoon or following day.


In April, May and June and second half of September it will run on saturdays and sundays
In July, August and first half of September it will run daily.

In October (second half only because in the first half there are major days), a long-weekend in November (1st to 3rd) and a long-weekend in December (6th to 9th) it will run again but starting at 11:00 and in the afternoon, last departure at 18:15.

Have a look to last season service where some FAQs are answered there. Any other one, just post here a question.

MAP

this is current map.

2013 STOPS

1- Plaza de La Seo (Roman Forum)
2. Plaza de España
5- Paseo Renovales
7- Paseo Pamplona 14
8- Museo Pablo Serrano
13- Palacio Congresos / Pabellón Puente
14- Zona Expo / Acuario
15- La Aljafería
16. Paseo Echegaray y Caballero /c/Jardiel (close to El Pilar)

NIGHT TOURISTIC BUS

It will have a similar but shorter journey and no stops.

Bus will depart at 21:45 on the following days:
July: Saturday
August: Friday and Saturday
1st half September: Friday and Saturday

from the Cathedral square.

Price is 11 euro and can be booked on line or bought at the tourism office or on board (we recommend to buy it in advance).

Bridge pavilion

Bridge pavilion

Bridge pavilion (Pabellon-puente) will be opened again

It could have been the most significant building in the 2008 international exhibition. Wanna visit inside?

When can it be visited?

Starting March 23rd, Bridge pavilion will be opened on sunday mornings 10:00 to 13:00 having short guided free tours at 10:30, 11:30 and 12:30.

What's the Bridge pavilion?

This is the Wikipedia information
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The Bridge Pavilion (Spanish: Pabellón Puente) is a building designed by British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid that was constructed for the Expo 2008 in Zaragoza (Spain) as one of its main landmarks. It is an innovative 280-metre-long (919 ft) covered bridge that imitates a gladiola over the river Ebro, connecting the neighbourhood of La Almozara with the exposition site, and thus becoming its main entrance. The new bridge is, at the same time, a multi-level exhibition area; 10,000 visitors per hour are expected to frequent the Pavilion of the world exhibition.
Hadid chose fibre glass reinforced concrete from the Austrian company Rieder to envelope the bridge: she covered the outer skin of the building with 29,000 triangles of fibreC in different shades of grey.
During the Expo 2008, the Bridge Pavilion hosted an exposition called Water – a unique resource, designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates. When the Expo was over, the building was purchased by the local savings bank Ibercaja to use it as a site for expositions.
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For updates: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_Pavilion

Some pictures

How can I get there?

Bus circle lines (Ci1, Ci2) and bus 34 stop quite close there.
Touristic bus stop also around the Expo 2008 area.
If you arrive by train (even if high speed or commuter train), Delicias station is close to this bridge.

You can join this visit to any other one within the Expo 2008 area (Aquarium, pavilions...)

WIFI IN ZARAGOZA

WIFI IN ZARAGOZA

You arrived to Zaragoza, you have a smartphone or something that can be connected to the internet network but your mobile company has terribly fares for international roaming.
Wanna have connections within Zaragoza with a weak fare?

Free internet

Almost all restaurants, bars or cafes, hotels and many shops have wifi but they are usually restricted for customers.
They often have a signal in the gate pointing that they offer wifi access. If, for instance, you are entering to a cafeteria, it will be enough to ask for the user and password and you will have free network.
Some shopping centres (mainly in the surrounding) have free internet. It is enough to be inside and connect with their network because there will be no password.

City internet

Zaragoza town hall has a wifi network mainly in the city centre and some parks and main avenues called "WI-ZI".

There are many antennas to offer this service. One example could be this one:

You may register in the web and ask for a pack depending of the days you are going to stay in Zaragoza. You will have an user and password (only required the first time you will connect because you can choose to save password in your mobile, smartphone or laptop) and being up to 100m away from any antenna you will be able to have internet in almost all streets in city centre (obviously as nearr to the antenna you are, as better connection).

WI-ZI services allows you to connect to some applications such as Whatsapp, skype and so on, and obviously any mail service, surf on the internet.

So think if you want to save money calling home... because paying once it can be used anywhere within the city.

It is not a fast connection service (try to avoid downloading movies or so...). Basic service is 0,5 Mbps and Premium is 1 Mbps. It will seem to be not enough but think that it is a service offered in every corner and for using skype, sending an email or surfing on the internet it is enough!.

Where will I find antennas?

This is a real time map about antennas. Green spot means on service, Red spot means out of service.
http://idezar.zaragoza.es/clientesIDEZarOL/visorGeoRSS/?georss_url=http://www.zaragoza.es/georref/rdf/hilo/ver_Wifi&georrs_carpeta=actividades&georrs_enc=utf

How can I ask for it?, how much does it cost?

Firs of all... I am so sorry because webpage is only in Spanish, even the registration page.
Should you have any problem with the language or any question about it, just post a comment to this blog entrance and I will reply you.

This is the page to register
http://wizi.eurona.net/acceso/usuarioAltaPaso1.do
You have to write your data and that stuff. Later they will ask for the credit card and how long do you want the service.

Prices for the Basic service
1 day, 1,5 euro
3 days, 4 euro
7 days, 9 euros
30 days, 20 euros
one year, 50 euros

Puerta Cinegia shopping centre

Puerta Cinegia shopping centre

Yes, it is absolutely possible to join culture, heritage and shopping in the whole heart of the city.
You have just to go to Puerta Cinegia shopping centre.

What is Puerta Cinegia?

The name comes from Latin (well... Puerta is a Spanish word that means "Gate").
As a Roman founded city, Zaragoza had a Cardum and Decumanum, and four gates, one in each corner of the "castrum".
Cinegia was the southern Gate of the Roman city. And when a shopping centre was built there, they kept that name for it.

Here you have some pictures about the buildings "before" that shopping centre and "after" it.

What can I find at Puerta Cinegia?

As a shopping centre it is not big at all. You will find just some corridors (it is possible to enter from three streets) and several levels. But, in fact, just some restaurants, bars and some shops of all kind of goods. Nothing different than in another shopping street and of course, much smaller than in other shopping centre.

But... there is a great deal or heritage there!.

What heritage will I find there?

There are several things... but two main ones are:

- ORIGINAL ROMAN WALL. In the underground there is part of original Roman Wall but... entering by Plaza España, just in the left side, those rocks you will see are part of the original Wall and have more than 2000 years of history.

- RENAISSANCE COURTYARD. When works started, a Renaissance courtyard was discovered. It was decided to be kept as it was... so in the middle (better said... in a corner) of the shopping centre you will find a nice surprise.

How and when can I visit it?

Arriving is veeeeeeery easy. It is in Plaza España. Walking from any street, stopping with any bus in the nearby or with the tramway in Plaza España stop, you will find it face to face.

Both, Roman Walls and Renaissance Courtyard, can be visited while shopping is open. This means usually 9:00 - 10:00 in the morning until late night (because restaurants will keep open). Weekends may have a restricted timetable but it could be one the "inside monument" with longest timetable

And... free!.

Zaragoza Green Ring

Zaragoza Green Ring

(or "Anillo verde de Zaragoza" as officially is said)
Do you want to have a tour around the city visiting its parks and natural resources?
There are plenty of them but this path will join most of them

What's the Zaragoza Green Ring?

It is a circle line that departing in the Puente del Tercer Milenio (Third Millenium Bridge) besides the Expo 2008 area, goes parallel to the Ebro river until the neighbourhood of La Cartuja and come back besides the Imperial Canal.

The shortest way is 30,5 km going and return.

Is it possible to made part of it?

Obviously yes.
As you can see in this map, a great deal of the Ring is between (or near) built neighbourhoods, so you can have a look to tramway or bus map and choose just a little stretch.

Be aware that to the neighbourhood of La Cartuja, the bus number 25 arrives every 12 minutes aprox. so you can go walking and returning by bus.
Starting in the eastern side of the ring besides the city and near the river, you can reach there with buses 24, 30 or 44.
Starting (or finishing) near the eastern side besides the Canal, you can reach there with buses 31 and 42 for instance. This will make easy your walk because you will not need to make a 35 km journey, just some of them outside the city but near it.

Are they more branches?

Of course. And it is a pity but it is not fully built. In the western side there is an alternative path crossing the "Parque Metropolitano del Agua Luis Buñuel" (Luis Buñuel Metropolitan Water Park)
There is another branch to the north, besides the Gallego river.

In a lot of newspapers dealers you will be able to buy a guide about it, but it requires few indications.

What will I find?

A lot of cityscapes but also landscapes.

Just some photos OUTSIDE the city (I just link some photos inside the city, most of them are in the nearby
but not inside the city)


Going to La Cartuja besides the Ebro river (as can be seen, you can make it with a mountain bike too)

You will depart next to the houses in the eastern side of the city (neighbourhood of Las Fuentes) and walk close to the river. Motorway will be crossed by a pass under it.

This brigde is not "inside" the inner ring but 500 meters away. I suggest you to cross it (only pedestrians or bikes).
It is very near La Cartuja, well indicated and no confusions.
Should you continue, you will arrive to the narutal area of La Alfranca

The Imperial Canal has several "locks". They were made to help little boats sailing there.

Returning from  La Cartuja besides the Imperial Canal you will find the Valdegurrianda locks (Esclusas de Valdegurriana)

and inside Zaragoza the "Fuente de los Incredulos" (Spectic fountain) and Casablanca locks

The "Sceptic Fountain" (Fuente de Los Incrédulos, I would advice you to ask about that name to someone in Zaragoza) has this sentence in Latin
"Incredulorum convictioni et viatorum commodo." Anno MDCCLXXXVI

which means "for convicting sceptics and a rest for travellers", Year 1786.

It was built to show that a Canal was possible to arrive to Zaragoza by Ramon Pignatelli

and some more pics inside the city:

This is an old stretch for railway to Teruel and Valencia in Oliver neighbourhood. Nowadays the train goes outside the city and this side was refurbished to have a walk. It is part of the inner ring.

As you can see, lamps seems to be over a catenary and a lot of details over the promenade remember to a railway lane.

AND REMEMBER. IT IS TOO LONG. YOU CAN WALK ONLY FOR A WHILE COMMUTING WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORT. I HAVE POSTED ONLY PHOTOS OUTSIDE THE CITY BUT INSIDE IT IT WORTHS TOO!!!