Torre de la Nueva

The Torre de la Nueva, also known as the Torreón de La Zuda, is the last surviving remnant of the former Muslim Alcázar of Zaragoza. This historic complex once served as the seat of government and winter residence of the rulers of the Taifa of Saraqusta, before becoming the royal palace of the kings of Aragon following the Christian conquest of the city in 1118. The slightly leaning tower as it looks today dates from the second half of the 16th century. It stands at the western end of the Plaza del Pilar, directly behind the Fuente de la Hispanidad and next to the church of San Juan de los Panetes. The structure sits on the foundations of the ancient Roman city walls, which once protected the city over a length of three kilometers (about 1.9 miles) and with more than a hundred towers.

Over the centuries, the site changed hands and purposes several times. After it was donated to the Order of the Hospital of Jerusalem in the 12th century, the building served as a hospital and later as the seat of the Castellán de Amposta. In the 19th century, following the secularization of church property, it was initially abandoned, before being handed over to religious orders in the 20th century. The tower only acquired its present form after extensive archaeological excavations and restoration work, completed in 2001. The surrounding buildings that had been added over time were removed to expose the historic structures.

Today, the tower houses a municipal tourist office and is classified as a national monument and as a cultural asset of special interest. Here you can experience the fascinating layers of Zaragoza's history, stretching from Roman antiquity through Muslim rule to the Christian era. Its immediate proximity to the Plaza del Pilar and the church of San Juan de los Panetes makes the site a central point for the city's historical heritage.