Look along the northern bank of the River Ebro to see the wave-shaped and architectural award-winning Palace of Congresses Zaragoza. With its vast exhibition hall, meeting rooms and large auditorium, this landmark venue is well equipped to host musicals, exhibitions, conventions and conferences.
The building was constructed for the Expo Zaragoza 2008 and since then has hosted numerous business and cultural happenings. Even if you are not attending any events, put a visit to the center in your travel itinerary to look over its bold and imaginative design. The architects Nieto and Sobejano describe the roof as a linear skylight with a plane folded in parallel bands. The transparent angled roofs reduce the reliance on electric lighting during the day. Enter the building’s lobby area to admire the design of this massive light-filled space.
Step inside the 36-foot (11-meter) tall open sculpture that stands in front of the convention center. The Soul of the Ebro was created by Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa and takes the form of a human torso, constructed of sculpted white letters.
To find out if there are any events taking place at the center during your time in Zaragoza, visit the official website. The remarkable building is located along the River Ebro, about 2 miles (4 kilometers) northwest of the Plaza de España. Arrive by taxi or public transportation or drive. The site has plenty of free parking spaces.
After studying the unique design of the Palace of Congresses Zaragoza, visit some of the other outstanding Zaragoza structures that were constructed for the 2008 Expo. See the Pabellón Puente, or Bridge Pavilion, which has an outer skin inspired by the scales of a shark. It is now closed, but still an interesting structure. Look up at the 240-foot (73-meter) high Water Tower, a concrete, steel-and-glass structure shaped like a water droplet. Cross the Bridge of the Third Millennium, which claims to be the largest suspended concrete bowstring arch bridge in the world.
