Ascensor del Pilar

The Basílica del Pilar in Zaragoza is one of Spain's most important Baroque churches and serves as a co-cathedral of the local archdiocese. Its name comes from an old tradition holding that the Virgin Mary appeared to the Apostle James the Greater on a pillar. Over the centuries, various structures were built around this holy site, ranging from a small chapel to Romanesque and Gothic buildings and, finally, today's Baroque monument. The basilica took its present form through extensive reconstruction carried out from 1681 to 1754 according to plans by Francisco Herrera Hidestrosa. The symmetrical-looking building, with its four striking corner towers (not completed until the 20th century), has eleven domes and is an important place of Spanish identity, since the feast of the Mother of God on October 12 is also the national holiday.

Inside, the Santa Capilla dominates: a semi-open space with an oval dome open to the sky that houses the miraculous image of the Virgin on the pillar. Here you can admire a gilded wooden statuette of Mary surrounded by rich ornamentation. The high altar impresses with a retable that combines Gothic forms with Renaissance sculptures and depicts scenes such as the Assumption of Mary. Another highlight is the oak choir stalls in the Plateresque style, decorated with biblical scenes. The church is also especially well known for the frescoes by Francisco de Goya, who created his first works in Zaragoza here, including the Adoration of the Name of God and the Regina Martyrum.

An unusual detail for visitors is the two aerial bombs on display from the Spanish Civil War, which struck the church in 1936 but failed to explode, something the faithful regarded as divine protection. The acoustic experience is enhanced by a modern organ from the Klais company, installed in the historic case in 2007, which delivers an impressive sound with 71 stops on four manuals and pedal. The combination of historic architecture, religious significance, and artistic treasures makes the basilica a central experience of any visit to Aragon.