La Zuda Tower

The Zuda Tower has witnessed the history of Zaragoza from one of the city's privileged locations, in the northwest corner of the Roman wall, next to the Ebro River.

Its silhouette appears in some of the most famous views of the capital, such as that of Anton van de Wyngaerde from the 16th century and that of Juan Bautista Martínez del Mazo from the 17th century. The Alcázar, the political and administrative seat of the Muslim governors and later of the kings of the Taifa of Zaragoza, was built upon one of the towers of the old Roman wall.

From this period, only its name remains: Zuda, Azuda, or Sudda. In 1118, Alfonso I the Battler, King of Aragon, conquered the city, and his first act was to take possession of the Zuda, which became a palace for the Christian kings until the 13th century, after which it was under the jurisdiction of Saint John of Jerusalem. This order built a church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, which was later replaced by the current Church of San Juan de los Panetes. James I the Conqueror and his wife Eleanor were imprisoned in this tower in 1224, following one of the uprisings of the Aragonese nobility. Its current appearance is due to the project of the architect Francisco Iñiguez, who oversaw its restoration (1946-1952) and sought to recover its 16th-century appearance. Square in plan, it has four stories above the ground floor, separated by stringcourses, and an arcade on the top floor. The last restoration of the tower (2002-2001) revealed new vestiges of the Roman wall, visible from the ground floor through its transparent floor. Currently, the building houses one of the Zaragoza Tourism offices and is the ideal place to begin exploring the city. From its fifth floor, with free access, you can enjoy one of the best views of the historic center. The Mirador de las Cuatro Culturas (Viewpoint of the Four Cultures) reminds us that our city is heir to the Iberian Salduie, the Roman Caesaraugusta, the Muslim Saraqusta, and the Christian Zaragoza. All of these cities are present in this one, the one we live in today. From the viewpoint's windows, we have a splendid panorama. Before our eyes, the Plaza del Pilar, the Basilica with its domes and towers, La Seo Cathedral, San Pablo Church, Santiago el Mayor Church, the Ebro River and its banks, and, on clear days, even the highest peaks of the Pyrenees. It also reveals a different perspective of the Roman Wall and the Central Market. We can recognize and learn about the main landmarks, thanks to a large photograph that identifies them and the explanatory panels that complement it. Furthermore, at this viewpoint you can watch a video showcasing all the historical, artistic, tourist, economic, and commercial resources that Zaragoza has to offer.