Wander through the rooms and chambers of the Aljafería Palace, an 11th-century fortified palace that was built for Muslim rulers. During its long history, the monumental structure has also been the home of the Christian kings of Aragon and the Catholic monarchs of Spain. Today, it serves as the headquarters of the regional parliament.
As you cross the bridge over the moat, pause to appreciate the historic circular towers. Walk through the main entrance into St. Martin's Courtyard. Notice the mixture of architectural styles of the surrounding buildings. These include a doorway to the early Moorish palace, the main façade of the building housing the parliament and the mudéjar style of St. Martin's Chapel. The lone rectangular tower, now called Troubadour Tower, is the setting for part of the Giuseppe Verdi opera Il Trovatore.
Step inside the 14th-century church. Among its decorative highlights are wooden ceiling roses embossed with the coat of arms of the Aragonese monarchy. Visit the mosque for its elaborate plasterwork decoration. Inside the Deliberations Room of the Catholic monarchs' palace, study the beautiful painted ceiling. It features emblems and mottos of Ferdinand and Isabella, whose marriage in 1469 led to the creation of modern Spain.
See more attractive ceilings in the rooms of the lost passageways. Stroll along the upper corridor to the throne room, a stunning space with a recessed ceiling of gilt and painted wood.
The palace is about 1 mile (2 kilometers) northwest of the Plaza de España. Several bus lines stop nearby. If you come by car, look for a spot in one of the metered parking garages in the vicinity.
Aljafería Palace is open daily except Thursdays and Friday mornings when parliament is in session. This restriction doesn't apply in January, July and August. An entrance fee is charged, which is reduced for senior citizens and students, while children up to the age of 12 get in for free. Note that on Sundays, admission is free for everyone. During your visit, take one of the guided tours in English. For details, check the official website of the Aragonese Parliament.
