sillydoll
Veteran Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2002 CF: 2004 from Paris: 2006 VF: 2007 CF: 2009 Aragones, Ingles, Finisterre: 2011 X 2 on CF: 2013 'Caracoles': 2014 CF and Ingles 'Caracoles":2015 Logrono-Burgos (Hospitalero San Anton): 2016 La Douay to Aosta/San Gimignano to Rome:
If you're going to be in Zaragoza for the week leading up to the Pilar festival then don’t forget to take your party clothes. Although the official date of the Pilar Festival is October 12th it lasts for around nine days with the evenings centered on an area of town known as "El Tubo" which is packed with bars and revelers. You should also pay a nighttime visit to the Paseo de los Bearneses and enjoy its spectacularly lit fountain. Heavenly music compliments the lights and adjoining neighborhoods join in with their own fireworks.
This internationally recognized festival has its origins in 40 AD when St James the Apostle came to this area to spread Christianity to the mostly Pagan population. On his journey in Aragonese territory, on the eve of January 2nd, the Virgin Mary is supposed to have appeared to him on a marble pillar and asked him to build a church on the land upon which he was standing. Initially a chapel was built around the pillar followed by ever grander churches over the centuries. Today the magnificent Basilica del Pilar which was designed in 1681 stands on this spot. Major alterations took place in the 18th century and the Basilica's towers weren't completed until the 20th century.
Not only is October 12th celebrated as the 'Día de Nuestra Señora del Pilar', it is also the 'Día de la Hispanidad', a national celebration of Columbus's discovery of the Americas.
http://www.spanish-fiestas.com
This internationally recognized festival has its origins in 40 AD when St James the Apostle came to this area to spread Christianity to the mostly Pagan population. On his journey in Aragonese territory, on the eve of January 2nd, the Virgin Mary is supposed to have appeared to him on a marble pillar and asked him to build a church on the land upon which he was standing. Initially a chapel was built around the pillar followed by ever grander churches over the centuries. Today the magnificent Basilica del Pilar which was designed in 1681 stands on this spot. Major alterations took place in the 18th century and the Basilica's towers weren't completed until the 20th century.
Not only is October 12th celebrated as the 'Día de Nuestra Señora del Pilar', it is also the 'Día de la Hispanidad', a national celebration of Columbus's discovery of the Americas.
http://www.spanish-fiestas.com
