the coat of arms of Aragon features four severed Moor's heads
the intricately interwoven arches
the Trone Hall with its spectacular ceiling
at the courtyard
the Patio de San Martin
the Patio of Santa Isabel
inside the Oratory
The
castle includes an old 9th century structure which is called the
Troubadour Tower after a play by Gutiérrez.
Aljaferia is
one of the very few remaining examples of islamic architecture in Spain's
taifa period.
After the Reconquest of
Zaragoza in 1118 the place became the residence for the Aragon royals and at the end of the 15th century it was turned into a
palace for the
Catholic Monarchs.
Later the castle was transformed into a fortress that suffered major
damage during the Sieges of Zaragoza in 1808/9.
After a 20th century restoration Aljaferia is now home to the
Cortes, the regional parliament of Aragon.
Of special interest are the intricately carved arches, the Golden Hall, the Throne
Hall with the
Coat of arms of Aragon and the Patio de Santa Isabel.
nowadays the moat is a lawn. The large square construction is the Troubadour Tower
front view
the stairs to the 2d floor
the entrance to the church of San Martin with the shields of the crown of Aragon
people could watch from above
