Aljaferia

The Aljafería in Zaragoza is a historic city palace that dates back to a Moorish foundation. Its name derives from the ruler who had the complex built in the 11th century as a lavishly decorated summer palace. The building originally centered on a courtyard, with the state apartments adjoining it to the north. After the Christian reconquest in the 12th century, the palace became the seat of the kings of Aragon. Over the centuries the building was remodeled several times, and elements of the Mudéjar style were added along the way. Later, in the 16th century, the complex was expanded on the orders of Spain's King Philip II into a modern citadel with impressive bastions and a moat.

Today the palace complex houses a museum, administrative wings, and the regional parliament of Aragon. You can tour the surviving state rooms on the upper floor, which were furnished beginning in the late 15th century. One highlight is the Throne Room, with its richly carved and painted ceiling, which is reached from the courtyard by a monumental staircase. The surrounding rooms with their magnificent wooden ceilings are also well worth seeing. The Aljafería has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001 and bears witness to the region's layered history.