Each region in Spain has its own festival that is originally intertwined with the Catholic faith. This weekend it's Zaragoza's turn. A mass especially for children, flower and fruit offerings, an ecclesiastical high mass with a closing processional procession. This characterizes the festivals of the Pilar, the patron saint of Zaragoza, which take place in Zaragoza and its surroundings from October 6 to October 14 (2019).
The actual public holiday takes place on Saturday, October 12, at the same time as Spain's national day, or Día de Hispanidad. But Zaragoza has already started celebrating on October 6 with processions, music, activities and all kinds of things.
On October 12, the Virgin Virgen del Pilar is honored in the town square in front of the Cathedral, the Plaza del Pilar. There, thousands of people dressed in traditional attire lay flowers for the virgin, which can then be viewed by the visitors.
The tradition of Pilar has been celebrated in Zaragoza since October 10, 1613. In the city of Zaragoza, the province of Aragon and the surrounding area, it is tradition to show children to the virgin of Pilar at least once. This must be done before their 7th year of life and in any case before the First Communion.
The day of the Virgin Pilar is also the day of the Guardia Civil police because the Virgen del Pilar is the patron saint of the police force.