The festivities of Pilar
The festivities of Pilar is a traditional event held in Zaragoza, to honor the Virgen of the Pilar, considered the patron saint of the inhabitants of this region. The celebration begins the week of October 12 each year and culminates the following Sunday with a series of events organized to entertain the attendees.
What is the origin of this festivity?
The celebration of the Virgin of the Pilar dates back to the middle of the 12th century, but the assignment of the date to carry out its celebration was thanks to the city council to remember October 12 as the date when the Marian apparition took place.
It is from the year 1982 when its celebration was an official fact decreed by the Spanish state as a Festival of National Tourist Interest.
What does this celebration consist of?
The celebration of the festivities of Pilar is a traditional festival in which a series of activities and celebrations are organized to honor the day of the virgin of the Pilar. The first event that takes place is the Children's Mass where many people attend, dressed in traditional costumes and carrying flowers, which are offered to the Virgin in a massive parade.
Once the floral offering is finished, the mass is held in the Basilica del Pilar. Another celebration is the Fruit Offering, where visitors give the Virgin a great variety of products and fruits brought from different parts of the region.
During the following days, other parades take place, such as the so-called Crystal Rosary, where floats made of glass are paraded, completely illuminated, with representations of different themes and which are a true spectacle.
Likewise, the famous parade of the Giants and Big heads takes place, where figures made of paper representing very popular characters in the region walk the street of the town entertaining the audience with their dances and costumes characteristic of the medieval era.
Other activities that are also part of the event are puppet shows to entertain children, a general fair where a variety of products, crafts, etc. are exhibited, outdoor concerts and the so-called Beer Festival. The festival ends with the fireworks, a real play of lights.
Children activities
The little ones also play a leading role in these festivities in El Pilar and, especially in recent years, activities have been developed for them in the Delicias Park and in the Grande José Antonio Labordeta Park: puppets, performances, marionettes...
What places to visit in Zaragoza during the festival?
There are many tourist sites and places of interest in Zaragoza, one of them is the beautiful "Basilica de la Señora del Pilar", a work of art in the baroque style. Also, you can't miss the Aljaferia Palace, a true legacy of Arab culture.
In this place you will find a great variety of museums, the aquarium and botanical garden, a truly amazing place to enjoy with your family. You can also take a wonderful tour of the Ebro in a canoe, a real adventure, and if you are a nature lover, don't forget to visit the Water Park, where great fun awaits for you.
If you want to eat well, then take a tour of the historic center, where you can enjoy the richest tapas in the region. In this area, full of narrow streets, you will find places and bars served by very friendly people and where you can taste everything you want from the traditional Spanish cuisine.
