Escuela de Artes y Oficios, Zaragoza, cultural heritage in Zaragoza
The Escuela de Artes y Oficios in Zaragoza is a 1908 school building with three floors and basement constructed from red brick and stone. It features Neo-Mudéjar style elements including rounded arches, decorated columns, and stone framing around windows and doors, with seven iron honeybee sculptures symbolizing industrial craftsmanship.
The building was constructed in 1908 as one of the largest structures at the Hispano-French Exhibition, marking the 100th anniversary of the Siege of Zaragoza. Over decades it served as an arts school, trade school, and public library before closure in 2009.
The school displays plaques and memorials honoring the Siege of Zaragoza, linking its facade directly to the city's past. Local residents recognize it as a familiar landmark that symbolizes the city's long tradition of craftsmanship and educational commitment.
The building sits on Plaza de los Sitios in the city center, easily reached on foot, with the exterior and memorial plaques viewable from the street. Since it is currently closed, visitors can view the facade architecture, brickwork, and iron details from outside.
The building was meant to be part of an ambitious project to connect it to a nearby museum through walkways and create a space dedicated to artist Francisco de Goya, but this plan was never realized. Renowned architects Herzog and Meuron were commissioned for the transformation, yet the project was abandoned before construction started.
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