Saragossa, Spain

Saragossa, (Latin: Caesar Augusta, Spanish: Zaragoza) is the capital city of Aragon, Spain, located by the Ebre river.

It is also the capital of the province of Zaragoza.

It was founded by the Romans.

Christianity

It is linked by legends to the beginnings of Christianity in Spain. According to legend, Virgin Mary appeared miraculously to Saint James The Greater in the 1st century. This fact is commemorated by a famous Catholic basilica called El Pilar ("The Pillar [upon which Mary appeared]"). This is celebrated on 12 October which is a holiday for Zaragoza, Spain. Since it coincided in 1492 with the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus, that day is also celebrated for Hispanics worldwide.

Zaragoza was the scene of two famous martyrdoms: those of Saint Dominguito del Val, a choirboy in the basilica, and Pedro de Arbués, an official of the Spanish Inquisition.

Zaragoza was the see of a Moorish taifa in the Middle Ages.

It suffered combats during the Peninsula War (See Agustina de Aragón).

It contains an important military officer academy, and formerly a USAF airbase.