Aljafería Palace History and Architecture in Zaragoza

The Aljafería Palace: Zaragoza's Architectural Jewel

Zaragoza's Ancient Defenses

Zaragoza retains some remnants of its *Roman wall*, built of stone with several rounded towers (or *cubos*), and a section of the *medieval walls* constructed of brick. However, the most important defensive monument of the city is the castle-palace, the **Aljafería**.

The Taifal Palace (11th Century)

The Aljafería Palace was built in the eleventh century as the residence for the Muslim kings (the *Taifa* rulers) of the city. This Moorish palace retains some of its original fortifications. Its quadrangular structure is reinforced by external round turrets, except for the main tower, named the **Troubadour Tower**. This tower is notably high and rectangular. The palace complex features large halls across various levels. The lower area, dating from the ninth century, is the oldest remaining architectural element.

The **Taifal Palace** is renowned for its delicate beauty. Its layout centers on a large rectangular open-air patio, the *Patio de Santa Isabel*. It features two side porches with *mixtilíneas* arches and, at the bottom, tripartite rooms used for ceremonial and private purposes. In the north porch is a small octagonal chapel, finely and richly decorated in plasterwork.

Christian Royal Residence and Mudejar Art

After the reconquest of the city by **Alfonso I the Battler**, the palace became the residence of the Christian monarchs, who carried out extensive expansion and refurbishment works. This medieval period (12th–14th centuries) saw several additions, including:

• The Church of San Martín.
• Santa Isabel's Room.
• The archery range and the western courtyard.

The most notable additions are the *Mudejar palace rooms* commissioned by **Pedro IV** (c. 1492), and the palace built by the **Catholic Monarchs** (Isabel and Ferdinand) on the site of the former Muslim factory. This later palace features a grand staircase, a gallery, and a set of rooms known as the *Salón de Pasos Perdidos* (Hall of Lost Steps). These rooms boast magnificent wooden ceilings with Gothic-Mudejar styling, culminating in the great **Throne Room** with its superb coffered ceiling.

Military Fortress and Historical Legacy

At the end of the sixteenth century, **Philip II** ordered the castle to be adapted for new weapons and artillery. Engineer **Tiburcio Spanocchi** added a sloping defensive barrier (a glacis) with pentagonal bastions at the corners and a wide moat. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the building underwent significant interventions to convert it into military barracks.

Due to all these historical vicissitudes, the Aljafería is one of the most complex buildings in the history of Aragonese construction. It is also considered one of the highest peaks of Hispano-Muslim art, with artistic contributions that were later adopted in the *Alcázar of Seville* and the *Alhambra of Granada*.