Traditional Fiestas del Pilar

This year, like every year, Las Fiestas del Pilar will take place in Zaragoza. These traditional celebrations have its origins on the Christian tradition, as many celebrations in Spain. Let’s see what Zaragoza has to offer and when this tradition comes from. 

It is believed that St. James the Apostol arrived at Zaragoza in order to spread Christianity. Once there, the Virgin Mary made an appearance in a marble pillar, from which the Christian Church should be build, at that place, on that land. There is the where the name Virgen del Pilar comes from (literally means the virgin of the pillar). The temple was built right there and stays nowadays, it was not even finished till the 20th century, but it is one of the symbols of the city. 

The date of the celebration was moved thru the calendar until it landed on October 12th, same day of the Spanish National Day. While Spain celebrates his day on the 12th, the celebrations in Zaragoza are all week long. This year celebrations will start on the 7th and will take place until the 15th. 

And what to do during these celebrations? Let me tell you some events you can enjoy during this week. First of all, the whole week is full of parades, concerts, street festivals and other events you can enjoy just by walking around Zaragoza. One of those events, a really cool one, is the Giants and Bigheads Parade. As they are called in Spanish: Gigantes y Cabezudos. People dressing as giants or with fake huge heads will walk around the city to the enjoyment of the little ones, or not that little. 

There are also two offerings to the Virgen del Pilar, the most famous being the flower offering on the 12th. A 9 meters mantle will be filled up with flowers brought by the neighbors of Zaragoza, and by the visitors who want to join the celebration. A really spectacular picture to see the Virgin with thar beautiful flower mantle build by everyone who wants to collaborate. On the 13th, the next day, there is a food offering. More than 6 tons of food will be brought to the Church from Zaragoza and from all over the world. That food will be donated to those in need.

These festivities bring to Zaragoza not just people from every Spanish corner, but also from all over the world. Zaragoza it is one of the most important cities in Spain and that is why Eurochange had to be there. We have an office for you to exchange your currencies into euros. Sterling to Euro? Of course. Dollars to euros? Classic, yes! What about Australian or Canadian dollars to Euros? Yes, and yes. We could keep listing all the currencies we exchange into euros at our Zaragoza office, but you can also check them out online or come to our office and ask yourself. As always you will come for our amazing exchange rates, but you will come back for the best customer service out there. 

And before I go, I want to give you a brief tease of what is coming soon. Soon you will be able to purchase your currencies online thru our website. Stay tuned for updates and to see when you will be able to purchase currencies online and have them delivered to you own home.