Places and events of interest in Tarazona

Monumental places

Tarazona, bimillenary city, a cultural melting-pot at a crossroads between the kingdoms of Aragon, Navarra and Castilla. From its Celtic-Iberian origin, through the growth experienced as a Roman city, up to the era of cohabitation between Christians, Muslims and Jews, each historical era has served to enrich the character of this monumental city, with an extensive historic artistic heritage, a living testament to the importance of this city.

THE SANTA MARÍA DE LA HUERTA CATHEDRAL OF TARAZONA

Considered the Sistine Chapel of the Spanish Renaissance, the cathedral of Tarazona is a unique European monument, fruit of the city´s historic religious and political prominence and confluence of cultures.

To contemplate this architectural gem, with traces of Gothic, Mudejar, Renaissance and Baroque styles, is an unforgettable experience. Not to be missed is the Cloister, with its plastered cornices and bell-tower, fetchingly ornamented in brickwork.

For an impressive virtual tour click here.
For more information, please visit the Cathedral´s official website

THE CITY HALL

The City Hall (XVI Century) was originally constructed as the city´s marketplace, as is illustrated in the sculptures which decorate the building´s unique façade.

The imcomparable frieze, crafted in plaster, represents King Charles V´s march to Bolonia following his coronation as Emperor of the Sacred Sainted Germanic Empire.

From a previous age, we can contemplate three figures representing Hercules, Caco and a third character (possibly Pierres, Sansón or Tubalcain), that allude to the legendary founding of the city.

In the higher part of the façade behold the arched gallery, an exact replica of the outer cloister of the nearby Veruela Monastery. The addition is recent (XX Century).

THE OLD BULL-RING

This singular bull-ring (XVIII Century) has been out of use as such since 1870, the eleventh-oldest bull-ring in the world.

The octagonal shape makes it unique since there exists no other with a similar form.

Built by locals, it was constructed as a building formed by eight individual residential blocks (always occupied) which in turn also served as a bull-fighting arena.

THE OLD JEWISH QUARTER

Tarazona forms part of the Spanish Jewish Network and the Sephardic Routes. It was one of the principal centres of Judaism in Aragon, traces of which can be found in the Old Jewish Quarter´s emblematic markings found within the narrow streets and alleyways.

Of particular note are the remarkable overhanging houses, interestingly constructed, and the Jewish cemetery, today housing the Carmen Convent.

One could also visit the Moshé of Portella Visitor´s Centre, created in order to inform on Sephardic life in the city.

THE EPISCOPAL PALACE

The façade of Tarazona´s Episcopal Palace, constructed on the site of the old muslim Zuda in the El Cinto neighbourhood, dominates the Old City.

Residence of Aragonese kings and the bishops of the dioscese of Tarazona, highlights spaces such as the Patio, the hemispheric dome of the noble staircase, the portrait gallery of past bishops and the arched brickwork gallery façade which gives way to the Queiles river.

From this vantage point one can enjoy one of the most fetching panoramas of the city.

Festivals, celebrations and events

In addition to having an impressive historic artistic heritage, Tarazona maintains an age-old tradition of festival and celebrations, religious or pagan, which at times transcends its local limitations. All of these contribute to the wonder of the city.

THE CIPOTEGATO

The Cipotegato is celebrated every 27 August, which is the starting point of the 6 day-long festival in honour of the patron saint of Tarazona, Saint Atilano.

At 12:00 noon one of the locals, elected by draw, dons a colourful harlequin suit, and is received by thousands of people in the City Hall Square who launch a hail of tomatoes. The mission of the Cipotegato is to depart from the square and, having done a round of the city streets, returns to the cheers and flailing tomatoes of the multitude. He/She then proceeds to mount the statue erected in his honour. It is a moment of great emotion and pride for all who participate.

The Cipotegato has been declared a Festival of Regional Interest in 1998 and a Festival of National Interest in 2009.

HOLY WEEK-EASTER

Holy Week in Tarazona has passed from being a strictly religious event to become a touristic phenomenon which attracts more visitors every year.

The nine fraternities of Tarazona, of medieval origin, participate in processions where their bands of drummers and cornets march in procession through the city, bearing their Christ-statue floats, throughout the week.

The most important procession, the Holy Burial, is celebrated on Good Friday, departing from the Cathedral of Tarazona with the participation of all the fraternities, accompanied by the praetorian guard of the applauders.

THE `PACO MARTÍNEZ SORIA´ COMEDY FESTIVAL

This event, tribute to the native actor Paco Martinez Soria, celebrated at the end of August, converts Tarazona into the national epicentre of cinematic comedy.

New releases, showings of full-length and short films, even kids´ animation, cinematic workshops and other activities culminates in an awards gala, attended by the most prominent personalities of the Spanish comedy movie industry.

For more information please visit the Festival´s. official webpage.

Museums

During your stay in Tarazona it is possible to visit permanent exhibitions in different points of the city, which illustrate the history of Tarazona and the local region, also those dedicated to illustrious members of the society.

ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

In the ancient dungeon of the Episcopal Palace one could see a permanent archeological display of artifacts sourced from the region.

Containing pieces recovered throughout decades, during numerous excavations, this museum affords us the opportunity to learn of the remote past of the region, focusing on three great periods: Prehistoric, the Celtic-Iberian, and Roman eras.

For more information:
The Municipal Tourism Office: 976 640 074

THE PACO MARTÍNEZ SORIA MUSEUM AND RAQUEL MÉLLER MUSEUM

Within the Fine Arts Theatre one will encounter two local treasure troves: gallery-museums dedicated to two of the most illustrious native artistic personalities, Paco Martinez Soria and Raquel Méller.

The Paco Martinez Soria exhibition features a great quantity of photos which chart the length of the actor´s cinematic and theatrical careers. On display one could peruse personal objects as much as others directly related with the popular personality.

In the hall dedicated to Raquel Méller one could indulge their curiousity with an abundance of graphic material (photos, posters and press-cuttings), in addition to numerous objects, some of them personal, covering the life and career of the renowned folk-singer and actress.

For more information:
The Municipal Tourism Office: 976 640 074
The Municipal Culture Office: 976 644 664

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