Aljaferia Palace

This palace originated in the 11th century as a recreational palace for the royalty of the Taifa kingdom. Over the centuries, it has served as a Moorish palace, a palace of the Christian kings of Aragon, a defensive fortress, a prison of the inquisition, and a military barracks. Today it hosts the state legislature of the autonomous region of Aragon.

The palace is to the west of the old town of Zaragoza and would have been constructed well outside the walls of the former Roman town.

Almost immediately inside, you may notice the well-manicured gardens in the courtyards of the old palace, which are enhanced by the delicate tracery and Islamic form of the window arches and roof supports of the oldest part of the palace.

Entering the ground floor interior, there is a display of architectural artifacts such as wall carvings and other sculptural elements. Upstairs there are several useful models showing the development of the building. Up another floor, you’ll find a great hall with a magnificently decorated ceiling and the vestiges of the Moorish architecture.

At one point, you are directed into the part of the building occupied by the Aragon legislature, which includes numerous portraits of senior politicians. You can enter the chamber itself (assuming it is not sitting). The modern architecture here contrasts with the historic setting in which it sits, reflecting, possibly, how the Aragonese see themselves as in the forefront of Spanish life but respecting their illustrious past as an independent kingdom.