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France/Spain 2011
Day 7 - 23rd March - Zaragoza: Aljafería Palace (Part 2)
I then headed to the Aljafería Palace.
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Cheap English classes
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La Plaza de Europa
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Aljafería Palace, part of Mudejar Architecture of Aragon
Even from here you can see arches on its ramparts, which are weird.
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Grassy moat
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Flowering shrubs in moat
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Entrance
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Courtyard
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Nice arch, but this is where the Cortes (regional parliament) of Aragon meets
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Intricate Islamic/Islamic-influenced stonework
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This is the Salon Del Oro O de Los Marmoles (Gold Salon of the Marbles, I think)
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Stonework at the side
As with other Islamic architecture it's focused on geometric shapes
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Patio de Santa Isabel. She was born in the palace.
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Oratorio (Oratory)
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Restos de La Alberca Sur (Remains of the South Pool)
In one indoor chamber we could access, they had:
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Mixtilinear arch (with English translation!)
Unfortunately this was a reproduction as the original was in Madrid. Wth.
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Composite Capital (reproduction)
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Restos de La Alberca Sur again
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Sheltered walkway
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Escudo (Coat of Arms)
Apparently you can visit the Troubadour Tower (the oldest bit) but it didn't seem to be on the tour route when I was there.
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Block with Geometric design
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On geometry in Islamic art
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On Islamic architecture as calligraphy
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#1 is at the bottom and #2 and #3 follow in a clockwise order