Aljafería Palace

Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain

The only substantially preserved Taifa-era palace in Spain, built by the Banu Hud dynasty of Zaragoza. Its intricate stucco work demonstrates that the artistic traditions of the Cordoban caliphate continued to flourish in the successor states.

Historical Context

Built by Abu Ja'far Ahmad ibn Sulayman al-Muqtadir of the Banu Hud dynasty, the palace was later used by the Christian kings of Aragon. Ferdinand and Isabella held court here, and it later served as the seat of the Aragonese Inquisition.