Pilar Basilica

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According to an ancient tradition, the Pilar Basilica was built in the same place where Holy Mary is said to have appeared to the apostle Santiago, who was preaching on the banks of the river Ebro.

Goya – Regina Martyrum (Agustin martinez)

Basilica Del Pilar in Zaragoza in night illumination, Spain

Pilar Basilica is one of the most important centers in the world devoted to Holy Mary and the most visited touristic destination in Aragon.

According to an ancient tradition, the Pilar Basilica was built in the same place where Holy Mary is said to have appeared to the apostle Santiago, who was preaching on the banks of the river Ebro. Around the column or ‘pillar’ in which She was leaning, the first chapel was erected to honor Her.

Thus, this pillar has been symbolizing, for two thousand years, the Christianization of Spain, and its Holy Day, on October 12th, is the day of Hispanity.

The current basilica of Pilar is the inheritance of successive constructions replacing the 1515 Gothic temple, which, in turn, succeeded the Romanesque destroyed by a fire in 1443. Interesting remains from the burnt down Romanesque church and the demolished Gothic-Mudejar can still be seen in the inside, such as the altarpiece by Damián Forment and the splendid choir stalls.

The current temple began to be built at the end of the 17th century, with huge towers and domes. In 1718 the central parts were finished and the main altarpiece and the choir from the previous temples were set in place. Subsequently, the architect Ventura Rodríguez was in charge for building the Holy Chapel. This is the true soul of the temple, since its layout fits perfectly the idea of not moving the Sacred Column from its place.

As soon as you enter the basilica you will feel its serene grandeur. To its massive width and harmony of proportions, we must add the decorative richness of its domes. Two of them, those of Coreto and Regina Martyrum, were painted by the young hand of the great Francisco de Goya.

If you are keen on seeing one of the most beautiful views of Zaragoza, do not hesitate to go up to the viewpoint of the Pilar Tower. A glass elevator will lift you in twenty seconds up to 62 meters high and you will enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the Ebro river and the historic city center.

Inside the temple is settled the Pilarist Museum. Among others, there you can contemplate a beautiful selection of the mantles that the Virgen del Pilar wears and shows daily, as well as the various jewels that She has been given since the 16th century.

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