Zaragoza history

The history of Zaragoza spans over two millennia, beginning with an Iberian settlement and concluding with its transformation into a major Spanish city. Every stage has left its mark on the architecture, culture, and character of this fascinating place on the banks of the Ebro River.

Foundation and Early Period

The city's origins trace back to an ancient Iberian settlement named Salduba (Salduvia). However, the official founding date is considered to be 24 BC, when the Roman Emperor Augustus founded a colony for veterans of the Cantabrian Wars on this site. The city was named Caesaraugusta (Colony of Emperor Augustus), from which the modern name "Zaragoza" is derived. Thanks to its strategic position in the Ebro River valley, the city quickly became an important administrative and commercial centre of the Roman province.

Key Stages of Development

• Roman Rule: During this period, a forum, theatre, public baths, and a river port were built, the remains of which can still be seen today. The city was surrounded by powerful walls, and its inhabitants held the rights of Roman citizens.
• Moorish Period: In the early 8th century, the city was conquered by Arabs and received the name Medina Saraqusta. It became an important outpost of the Caliphate of Cordoba, and after its dissolution, the capital of an independent emirate (Taifa). This period brought economic prosperity to the city and enriched its culture.
• Capital of the Kingdom of Aragon: In 1118, Zaragoza was reconquered by King Alfonso I the Battler and became the capital of the powerful Kingdom of Aragon. The city transformed into a political and economic centre where Aragonese monarchs were crowned.

Cultural and Economic Features

Its location at the crossroads of trade routes between Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and the Basque Country historically defined Zaragoza's economic significance. The Ebro River also played a key role in facilitating trade. The fusion of Roman, Muslim, Jewish, and Christian cultures created the unique Mudejar architectural style, examples of which are today included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Since the 16th century, the city, nicknamed "La Harta" (The Abundant), has been famous for its trade and numerous magnificent palaces built by nobility and merchants.

Key Dates in the History of Zaragoza

Zaragoza, a city with more than two thousand years of history, has witnessed changing eras and cultures, each leaving a unique imprint on its appearance.

• 24 BC — Emperor Augustus founds the Roman colony Caesaraugusta on the site of the Iberian settlement of Salduba, giving rise to the city's modern name.
• 380 AD — A major Christian synod is held in the city, testifying to its growing importance as a religious centre in the late Roman Empire.
• 712–713 — The city is conquered by Arabs and receives the name Medina Saraqusta, becoming a significant Muslim centre in the north of the Iberian Peninsula.
• 11th Century — Zaragoza becomes the capital of an independent Taifa (emirate), and the magnificent Aljafería Palace, built during this period, stands as a testament to its prosperity.
• 1118 — King Alfonso I the Battler of Aragon reconquers the city from the Moors, and Zaragoza becomes the capital of the powerful Kingdom of Aragon.
• 15th Century — After the unification of the kingdoms of Aragon and Castile, the city gradually loses its status as a capital but remains an important economic and cultural centre.
• 1808–1809 — The city heroically resists Napoleon's troops during two bloody sieges, earning the honorary title "Always Heroic".
• 1908 — Zaragoza hosts the Hispano-French Exposition, contributing to the modernisation of the city and the construction of new landmark buildings.
• 1953 — As part of military cooperation with the USA, a large American airbase is established in the city, influencing its development in the 20th century.
• 2008 — Zaragoza hosts the World Expo 2008, dedicated to the theme of water, leading to a massive reconstruction of urban infrastructure and the emergence of new architectural landmarks.

The history of Zaragoza is a kaleidoscope of eras and cultures, where every turning point left an indelible mark on the city's appearance. These milestones transformed an ancient settlement into a modern metropolis that retains the charm of the past.

From Roman Colony to Taifa Capital

One of the main milestones was the founding of the city by the Romans in 24 BC under the name Caesaraugusta. This event laid the foundation for the urban layout and its initial importance as a major centre on the Ebro River. Centuries later, in the 11th century, Zaragoza experienced a new golden age, becoming the capital of an independent Muslim emirate — a Taifa. It was during this period that the magnificent Aljafería Palace was erected, which remains a jewel of Hispano-Islamic architecture and a symbol of past power today.

Centre of the Kingdom of Aragon

In 1118, the city was conquered by the Christian troops of King Alfonso I and became the capital of the powerful Kingdom of Aragon. This status turned Zaragoza into one of the key political, religious, and economic centres of the Iberian Peninsula for several centuries. Aragonese monarchs were crowned here, and the fusion of Christian, Arab, and Jewish cultures gave birth to the unique Mudejar architectural style, recognized as a UNESCO heritage.

Revival in the Modern Era

The heroic defence of the city during the Napoleonic sieges in 1808–1809 forever inscribed the name of Zaragoza in the history of Spain, granting it the title "Always Heroic". However, the real catalyst for modern transformation was the World Exhibition "Expo 2008", dedicated to the theme of water and sustainable development. This event led to a massive modernisation of infrastructure, the appearance of futuristic buildings such as the Bridge Pavilion by Zaha Hadid and the Water Tower, affirming Zaragoza's status as a dynamic and forward-looking city.

The architecture of Zaragoza is a unique journey through eras, where every historical layer has left its unique trace. The city presents an impressive mix of styles, from antiquity to ultra-modern structures, making it a true open-air museum.

Roman Era: City Foundation

The city was founded as the Roman colony Caesaraugusta, and traces of this period are still visible in its layout. Key structures of that era included the forum, theatre, public baths, and river port, which turned the city into an important trade hub. Fragments of the powerful defensive walls that once completely surrounded the city have survived to this day.

Moorish Heritage and Mudejar Style

The period of Arab rule gifted Zaragoza one of its main architectural masterpieces — the Aljafería Palace. This fortified palace from the 11th century is an outstanding example of Islamic architecture and the only major surviving building from the Taifa era (independent emirates) in Spain. After the Reconquista, the fusion of Islamic and Christian traditions gave birth to the unique Mudejar style, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This style is characterized by the virtuoso use of brick and ceramic tiles, vividly displayed in the exterior of La Seo Cathedral and the tower of the Church of San Pablo.

Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque

After Zaragoza became the capital of the Kingdom of Aragon, Gothic architecture actively developed in the city. A prime example is the Cathedral of the Savior (La Seo), which represents a mix of Romanesque, Gothic, Mudejar, and Baroque styles. The Renaissance era was marked by the construction of elegant palaces and buildings such as La Lonja — the trade exchange, which demonstrates the strict and harmonious forms of this style. The pinnacle of Baroque architecture in Zaragoza is undoubtedly the grandiose Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, the symbol of the city with its eleven domes and magnificent decoration.

From Modernism to Contemporary Architecture

At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, buildings in the Modernist style appeared in the city, but a true architectural transformation occurred in the run-up to the World Exhibition "Expo 2008". This event gifted Zaragoza a range of futuristic structures that changed the face of the Ebro riverfront. Standing out among them are the Bridge Pavilion designed by Zaha Hadid, the Water Tower in the shape of a water drop, and the Spain Pavilion, resembling a bamboo forest. These objects demonstrate the boldness of engineering thought and symbolize Zaragoza's aspiration towards the future.

Notable Figures in the History of Zaragoza

Zaragoza, a city with a rich and multifaceted history, has been the birthplace or an important stage in life for many prominent figures. From founders to artists, from scientists to heroes — these personalities have left an indelible mark on the culture and history of not only the city but the entire world.

• Emperor Augustus (63 BC – 14 AD) — The Founder. Although not a native of these lands, it was the Roman Emperor Augustus who founded the colony Caesaraugusta on the site of an Iberian settlement in 24 BC. This event marked the beginning of the city's history, and its modern name is a direct derivative of the emperor's name.
• Ibn Bajja (Avempace) (c. 1085–1138) — Philosopher and Scientist. A prominent Arab philosopher, physician, astronomer, poet, and musician of the Al-Andalus era. He lived and worked in Zaragoza when it was the capital of an independent Taifa. His works had a significant influence on medieval thought.
• Alfonso I the Battler (c. 1073–1134) — King of Aragon and Navarre. A key figure of the Reconquista who conquered Zaragoza from the Moors in 1118 and made it the capital of the powerful Kingdom of Aragon. His reign marked the transformation of the city into a crucial political and Christian centre of the region.
• Francisco Goya (1746–1828) — Artist. One of the greatest masters of world fine art, Goya was born near Zaragoza, in Fuendetodos, and began his creative journey right here. His early works, including frescoes in the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, are an important part of the city's cultural heritage.
• Agustina de Aragón (1786–1857) — War Heroine. Famous for her bravery during the defence of Zaragoza against Napoleonic troops in 1808–1809. Becoming a symbol of popular resistance, she inspired the city's defenders and was depicted in one of Goya's etchings.
• Santiago Ramón y Cajal (1852–1934) — Scientist, Nobel Laureate. Considered the "father of modern neuroscience". Ramón y Cajal spent his youth and received his medical education at the University of Zaragoza. His fundamental research on the structure of the nervous system earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1906.