Aljafería
Videos
The Aljafería Palace is a fortified medieval palace built during the second half of the 11th century in the Taifa of Zaragoza in Al-Andalus, present day Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain. It was the residence of the Banu Hud dynasty during the era of Abu Jaffar Al-Muqtadir. The palace reflects the splendor attained by the Taifa of Zaragoza at its height. It currently houses the Cortes of the autonomous community of Aragon.
Floor plan
Troubadour Tower
Horseshoe arches from the 9th or 10th century at the ground floor of the Troubadour Tower
Stucco decoration in Islamic architecture refers to carved or molded stucco and plaster. The terms "stucco" and "plaster" are used almost interchangeably in this context to denote most types of stucco or plaster decoration with slightly varying compositions. This decoration was mainly used to cover walls and surfaces and the main motifs were those predominant in Islamic art: geometric, arabesque, and calligraphic, as well as three-dimensional muqarnas. Plaster of gypsum composition was extremely important in Islamic architectural decoration as the relatively dry climate throughout much of the Islamic world made it easy to use this cheap and versatile material in a variety of spaces.
Stucco in the Court of the Lions of the Alhambra (14th century), in Granada, Spain. Arabesques are mixed here with calligraphic motifs and muqarnas sculpting.
Stucco dome from Khirbat al-Mafjar, late Umayyad period (early 8th century), showing Classical-inspired motifs carved in high relief
Panel of carved stucco wall decoration from Abbasid Samarra, Iraq, in the "beveled" style (9th century), showing flatter and more abstract motifs
Stucco mihrab in the Great Mosque of Isfahan in Iran, with deeply-carved arabesques and inscriptions (early 14th century, Ilkhanid)