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.
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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.

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).