Goya memorial

The Goya Memorial stands in Plaza del Pilar in Zaragoza, right beside the great basilica, honoring the most celebrated painter born on Aragonese soil.

How do you get there?

Plaza del Pilar sits at the heart of Zaragoza's old town, so the monument is within easy walking distance of almost anywhere in the historic center. From Zaragoza-Delicias train station it's roughly a 20–25 minute walk, or a short ride on tram Line 1, which stops just a few minutes from the square. Drivers will find several underground car parks nearby. The square itself borders La Lonja (the Renaissance merchants' exchange), the city hall, and La Seo cathedral, making it easy to combine a visit with the rest of the old town's landmarks in a single stroll.

What will you see?

The centerpiece of the monument is Francisco de Goya himself, seated on a tall, stepped pedestal with his legs bent and a paintbrush in hand. The monument was designed by architect José Beltrán Navarro, with the sculptural work carried out by Federico Marés. The original concept called for four additional figures — two men and two women dressed as majos and majas, the elegant 18th-century Aragonese figures Goya immortalized in his tapestry cartoons. One of the pedestal's walls bears Goya's own words on fantasy and reason: abandoned by reason, fantasy breeds monsters, but united with it, fantasy becomes the mother of the arts. The monument was unveiled on 8 October 1960, a gift to the city from Banco Zaragozano marking the bank's fiftieth anniversary. In 1990, following a design by architect Ricardo Usón, water features were added around the base — jets and sheets of water that now form part of the setting and are a favorite with children on hot days.

When should you visit?

The square is open around the clock, all year, since it's simply public open space with no gates or opening hours. Spring and autumn bring the most comfortable temperatures for wandering the plaza, while summer visitors appreciate the cooling effect of the fountains beside the monument in Zaragoza's hot, dry climate. In the evening, the monument and surrounding landmarks are lit up, making dusk a particularly photogenic time to visit. Timing a trip around the Fiestas del Pilar (the second half of October) rewards visitors with the square at its liveliest, though it's also when crowds peak.

Why does this monument matter to Zaragoza?

Although Goya was born in nearby Fuendetodos, he remains one of the defining figures of Aragonese and Spanish art as a whole. Placing his monument at the very heart of the city, next to its most important shrine, reflects how closely Zaragoza identifies with the painter's legacy. For visitors, it makes a natural starting point for tracing Goya's footprint across the city and region, from the Museo Goya to his birthplace in Fuendetodos, less than an hour away.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed the Goya memorial in Zaragoza? Architect José Beltrán Navarro conceived the overall design, while sculptor Federico Marés carried out the sculptural work.

When was the monument unveiled? On 8 October 1960, as a gift to the city from Banco Zaragozano to celebrate the bank's fiftieth anniversary.

What does the sculpture depict? Its centerpiece is Goya himself, seated on a tall pedestal with a paintbrush in hand; the original design also included four figures dressed as majos and majas.

Are there fountains at the monument? Yes — water jets and sheets were added in 1990 to a design by architect Ricardo Usón, framing the base of the monument.