Published via Ecency

I've always been drawn to the Basque Country, and finally, I got to visit. There's something about this place that's really caught my attention for a while now. Maybe it's because the Basque people have a unique trait - a high percentage of Rh-negativity, around 25-35%, which is much higher than other Europeans, who have about 16%. And as it happens, I have a negative Rh factor too, so in a way, we're connected by blood.

We took a trip to the Spanish side of the Basque Country, and it was amazing. On our way there, we stopped in some really beautiful cities, they were just incredible. Then, on the way back, we took a different route, which was great because we got to make some interesting stops too. The whole trip was just fantastic, with so much to see and do.

In total, we saw as many as 14 cities, and we accumulated so many impressions that we simply cannot help but share them.

We began our journey in Zaragoza, and the first place we explored was the stunning Aljaferia palace, right in the heart of the city. As we stepped inside, it felt like we had left Europe behind and entered a whole new world, one that was deeply rooted in Eastern culture and architecture. The experience was almost surreal, like being transported to a different continent altogether.
The stunning towers and gorgeous interior decor, with its Arabic flair, arches that resemble locks, and intricate mosaic patterns, are truly breathtaking. And then there's the beautiful elm that appears to be petrified in stone. The palace's orange garden is simply amazing, just like you'd expect from a place like this. What's more, inside the palace, you'll find a museum dedicated to the works of Goya. Even though we're not exactly art experts, we couldn't help but feel like we were in the presence of some incredible masterpieces.

The city is also home to a number of stunning cathedrals, with two standing out as particularly breathtaking: the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar and the Cathedral of the Savior. One of the most striking features of the Cathedral of the Pilar is its beautiful altar, which was crafted by the renowned artist Goya. Meanwhile, the tower was designed by Saint Francisco Borja, adding to the cathedral's rich history and architectural significance.

The Cathedral of the Savior is really something special - it's the main temple in the city and a stunning example of Aragonese Mudejar art. Erica was totally blown away by its amazing multi-colored mosaic towers, they're definitely a sight to behold.

"They look like my cubes," she said.

You can see the cathedral really clearly from the Puente de Piedra bridge, which is pretty amazing. This spot has had a bridge since the Romans were around, but the one that's there now was built much later, in the 15th century. It's a great connection between the old part of the city and the newer areas, making it easy to get around.

Zaragoza is also home to a wealth of Roman-era monuments, and one of its most impressive sights is the local amphitheater, which is remarkably well-preserved and stands out as one of the finest examples of its kind in all of Spain.

Arian turned to Erica and said, "You know, this is really a spot where people can just let loose and have a good time."

“And how did they have fun?” she asked.

Erica's son had to explain what "gladiators" meant, it was a new word for her. He told her that a long time ago, people would go to a special place to watch these gladiators fight each other, or they would have performances like in a theater, with actors and music.

“Performances are better. What kind of entertainment is watching people fight,” the daughter decided.