Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar

The Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar and the Plaza del Pilar are two of Zaragoza's most beautiful landmarks. The basilica, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was built on the pillar where it is believed that the Virgin appeared to St. James in the year 40 AD. The basilica is a baroque style building, with Renaissance and Gothic elements, which is unique to its kind in the world. The square in front of the basilica is the Plaza del Pilar and is the epicenter of the city. The plaza features a pretty fountain with Neptune holding an oar and a conch. Other points of interest in the plaza are the Fuente de las Camelas, a sculpture of St. James, and the Fuente de la Justicia. Both the museum and the basilica are worth a visit, as they contain very interesting sculptures and frescoes of the Baroque and Renaissance periods. There's also a historical marker commemorating the famous battle of Zaragoza. The area is a great place for visitors to soak up the rich history and culture of Zaragoza.