El Pilar and River Ebro, Zaragoza

Photograph of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Pillar in the city of Zaragoza in Spain. In the foreground is the River Ebro which borders the cathedral. A bell tower stands on the right and in the centre is a domed roof crowned with a smaller tower. Further pediments can be seen behind the cathedral walls. In the left of the background is the Puente de Piedra.

According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to St James by the banks of the River Ebro and instructed him to build a church in her honour. A small church with a pillar was erected in her memory which was eventually destroyed apart from the Pillar which remained intact, thus influencing the name of the present building. Much of the present building is built in the Renaissance style and dates to the 17th century.