Ode to Zaragoza

(10s, F22, ISO100, 12mm)

About 5 years ago we left the Netherlands to try our luck abroad and our first steps were in Spanish Zaragoza,
the capital of the diverse and beautiful province of Aragon.
The old town of Zaragoza with its small alleys, Medieval architecture and hidden squares filled with tapas bars, feels so much more authentic than most touristy cities of Spain.

Apart from the real Spanish atmosphere it has some great attractions, like the Roman remains, the beautiful churches,
the cathedral and the famous Basilica–Cathedral of Our Lady of the Pillar which you can see here across the mighty river Ebro during sunset.

Tags: Architecture, Culture, Landscape, Light, Photo, River, Spain, sunset, Travel

63 thoughts on “Ode to Zaragoza”

Celebes on January 27, 2017 at 16:56 said:

My favourite city. 😉 Great shoot.

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- Ron Hillmar on January 28, 2017 at 15:26 said:
  
  Hola José, thanks! Definitely my favourite city in España as well, lived there for 2 years and loved every minute of it, went back couple of times and still the best 😉
  Saludos, Ron.
  
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setmeravelles on November 2, 2015 at 16:45 said:

Zaragoza is a great place, and sort of a secret. I’ve been there quite a few times. Jealous you got to live there 🙂

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- Ron Hillmar on November 2, 2015 at 17:37 said:
  
  Hola, yes that was some experience, great casco historico and so real Spanish compared to the bigger ones! Go live there is my advice 😉
  Saludos, Ron
  
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Cardinal Guzman on January 8, 2015 at 22:12 said:

Wonderful colours.

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Amy on December 4, 2014 at 00:56 said:

So glad you are back, Ron! Thank you so much for these beautiful posts.

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- Rondje on December 4, 2014 at 17:32 said:
  
  That so kind of you to say, Amy! Almost makes me feel guilty I don´t post more often 😉
  But you gotta be out there to find the photo opportunities as well 😉
  Everything good with you?
  
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  - Amy on December 4, 2014 at 20:21 said:
    
    Everything is going well. Thank you for asking, Ron. 🙂
    You’re right finding the photo opportunities is not as easy as it looks. 🙂
    
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    - Rondje on December 5, 2014 at 15:15 said:
      
      Good to hear!
      Well, it was a lame excuse for just enjoying traveling with friends and not photographing too much 😉
      
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Paula on December 2, 2014 at 21:03 said:

How are you Ron? It’s been a month since you posted….

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- Rondje on December 3, 2014 at 16:49 said:
  
  Hi Paula, thats so thoughtful of you, thanks.
  All great here, just too much traveling (Cambodia & Myanmar) last month with a good friend 😉
  How are you doing?
  
  Maybe I will make a post just before the month is over (today)!
  
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Suyash Chopra on November 30, 2014 at 06:37 said:

Awesome shot!

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- Rondje on December 9, 2014 at 21:33 said:
  
  Thanks a lot, Suyash, very kind of you to stop by and compliment me!
  Hope youre doing great, greetings,
  Ron
  
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Russel Ray Photos on November 26, 2014 at 10:09 said:

Oooooooh. Nice, nice, nice. Really, really nice!

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- Rondje on December 9, 2014 at 20:20 said:
  
  Oooh, thanks thanks so much, Russel 😉
  Inspiring place it is, Zaragoza, I tell you!
  Have a good week,
  Ron.
  
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Emilio Pasquale on November 17, 2014 at 07:17 said:

Beautiful image. Love that you kept a small aperture!

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- Rondje on December 9, 2014 at 20:21 said:
  
  Muchas gracias, Emilio, guess the tripod made that possible, don´t use it much, but here I anticipated this shot and got lucky 😉
  Greetings, Ron.
  
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restlessjo on November 14, 2014 at 21:04 said:

Such a beautiful photo! It’s a place I’ve always meant to visit. You haven’t deterred me 🙂

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- Rondje on December 9, 2014 at 20:22 said:
  
  Thanks a lot, Jo, glad to hear that, I´m pretty sure it will never dissappoint; it didnt dissappoint me for 2 years!
  All the best,
  Ron.
  
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joshi daniel on November 14, 2014 at 15:03 said:

beautiful 🙂

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- Rondje on December 9, 2014 at 20:22 said:
  
  Thank you very much, Joshi!
  
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Patti Kuche on November 13, 2014 at 08:06 said:

Fabulous glow and sparkle Ron!

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- Rondje on December 9, 2014 at 20:23 said:
  
  Thats very kind of you to say, Patti, sometimes the light does some great thing to the sky and water 😉
  Greetings,
  Ron
  
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the dune mouse on November 12, 2014 at 15:04 said:

incredible colour and cityline!! love the long exposure!

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- Rondje on December 9, 2014 at 21:34 said:
  
  Thank you, Cybele, had to get the colors out and didnt carry my tripod all the way not to use it 😉
  Have a great week, greetings
  Ron
  
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Sofia Velikorodova *Siberia. Meta-physical on November 12, 2014 at 01:49 said:

Very beautiful. Was fascinated with the view!

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- Rondje on December 5, 2014 at 15:32 said:
  
  Hello Sofia, enjoyed this view a lot and after 2 years decided to photograph it at the right moment (i hope)
  Have a great weekend and thanks for the compliment,
  Ron
  
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LB on November 10, 2014 at 07:51 said:

oh my goodness … thank you for sharing such an incredible sight

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- Rondje on December 9, 2014 at 21:32 said:
  
  Thank you very much, Laurie, it´s my pleasure with such kind persons like yourself stopping by and encouraging me 😉
  All the best to you,
  Ron
  
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Noeline Smith on November 9, 2014 at 19:06 said:

Beautiful!

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- Rondje on December 5, 2014 at 15:35 said:
  
  Thanks a lot, Noeline!
  Hope all is well, enjoy your weekend!
  
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Dalo 2013 on November 9, 2014 at 17:09 said:

Incredible ~ the contrast and then the colors, you have them both with so much detail. Great shot Ron.

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- Rondje on December 5, 2014 at 15:35 said:
  
  Sometimes it pays to bring along your tripod, definitely helped on this low light situation 😉
  Thanks a lot.
  
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  - Dalo 2013 on December 6, 2014 at 10:14 said:
    
    Very timely comment ~ I was just in the Tacloban region of the Philippines and went on a pre-dawn hike without my tripod as it was locked up in a van. The only reason I brought my tripod on that trip was specifically for that hike 🙂 Made due, but definitely agree ~
    
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Truels on November 7, 2014 at 05:37 said:

Amazing photo! Stunning colors 🙂

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- Rondje on December 9, 2014 at 20:23 said:
  
  Thanks so much, Truels! Hope all is well?
  Greetings, Ron
  
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Paula on November 6, 2014 at 18:50 said:

This is a stunning angle, Ron! I will put Zaragoza on my list. I trust your judgement 🙂

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- Rondje on December 9, 2014 at 20:25 said:
  
  Ha, now I feel the pressure 😉
  Don´t think it will dissapoint and tell me when you go to Spain, I know some spots!
  Spent many sunsets on this small little beach so why not bring a camera the last week (out of 2 years) before we left!
  
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  - Paula on December 9, 2014 at 20:28 said:
    
    I see 😀
    
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Tina Schell on November 5, 2014 at 21:19 said:

Wonderful capture Ron, I too love the ripple and think it makes an otherwise lovely shot something quite special. Well done!

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- mytiturk on November 6, 2014 at 09:21 said:
  
  Lovely inspiration to visit Zaragoza. I’m reminded of the Zarzuela:,Gigantes y cabezudos from 1898. Next trip!
  
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  - Rondje on December 9, 2014 at 21:30 said:
    
    If you have the chance, you should go, but if its the same as 1898 😉 I´m not sure!
    Thanks for your interest, greetz, Ron
    
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- Rondje on December 9, 2014 at 20:26 said:
  
  Thanks Tina, I liked those little wrinkles as well, perfect reflections are too perfect sometimes 😉
  Greetings,
  Ron
  
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My Heartsong on November 5, 2014 at 14:46 said:

So much in this photo, the darks, the colours, the hard and soft edges. Amazing architecture.

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- Rondje on December 9, 2014 at 21:27 said:
  
  THank you very much, I hope I didnt try to put too much in there 😉
  Have a great week, Ron.
  
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Lisa Gordon on November 5, 2014 at 10:26 said:

This is truly magical!
Beautifully captured.

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- Rondje on December 9, 2014 at 21:21 said:
  
  Thank you so much, Lisa! Its so nice to hear this is working, cuz it is pretty full on color sunset, which I think is done many times, but the place is special to me, thats why I wanted to capture and share now!
  Thanks for all your support always, hope you´re doing great!
  Greetings, Ron.
  
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The Passion Dew on November 5, 2014 at 05:06 said:

Prachtig photo Ron, brilliant samenstelling!

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- Rondje on December 9, 2014 at 21:26 said:
  
  Dank je wel, Della Anna, heb 2 jaar langs de Ebro daar kunnen wandelen om te bedenken waar en wanneer ik deze foto zou nemen 😉
  Groet, Ron
  
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Jaap Kroon on November 5, 2014 at 05:02 said:

Schitterende foto!

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- Rondje on December 9, 2014 at 20:26 said:
  
  Dank je wel, Jaap!
  Groet, Ron
  
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Nelson on November 5, 2014 at 01:41 said:

beautiful colors and reflections

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- Rondje on December 9, 2014 at 20:38 said:
  
  Thanks so much, Nelson!
  
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Mark Simms on November 5, 2014 at 01:25 said:

Great shot Ron….the colours and reflections in the river are just stunning

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- Rondje on December 9, 2014 at 20:39 said:
  
  Thank you, Mark, enjoying your travel photos from India a lot too!
  Greetings,
  Ron
  
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Eduardo@Andaremos on November 5, 2014 at 00:34 said:

In spite of the cold weather and the fierce winds, I managed to walk away with a great night image of El Pilar. I am glad the wind made me hurry up and shoot at what turned to be the best aperture for my lens. Great image Ron. This is different from the typical shot from up on the bridge.

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- Rondje on December 9, 2014 at 20:27 said:
  
  Hola Eduardo, yep most people dont cross the bridge, but cuz I´ve been wandering along the river at sunset many times during my 2 years I had an idea where I wanted to take this photo and be a little more original 😉
  Saludos, Ron
  
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sheldonk2014 on November 4, 2014 at 22:33 said:

The litesand the sunset gives this image a majestic feel. It’s a beautiful cityscape. The architecture is very medieval. Great composition.

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- Rondje on December 9, 2014 at 20:38 said:
  
  Thats very nice of you to say, Sheldon! Thanks very much, so good to hear you enjoyed this one and took a thorough look!
  hope all is good, greetings,
  Ron.
  
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logphotography on November 4, 2014 at 21:31 said:

This is awesome. The ripple makes it even more interesting. It almost points to the buildings.

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- Rondje on November 4, 2014 at 22:39 said:
  
  Thanks so much, Luis, and you took a good look at it, liked the none perfect reflection too; so many perfect mirrored ones around already 😉
  Greetings,
  Ron
  
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  - logphotography on November 5, 2014 at 02:30 said:
    
    Anytime. I had to look at it in detail. Its awesome
    
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    - Rondje on December 9, 2014 at 20:28 said:
      
      Very cool to hear and it is pretty filled, thats true 😉
      
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