Catalonia & the Pyrenees Best - Discover Spain: Experience the Best of Spain - page 207

Aljafería
La Aljafería is Spain's finest Islamic-era edifice outside Andalucía. It's not in the league of
Granada's Alhambra or Córdoba's Mezquita, but it's nonetheless a glorious monument.
Inside the main gate, cross the dull first courtyard into a second, the Patio de Santa
Isabel , once the central courtyard of the Islamic palace. Here you'll find delicate inter-
woven arches typical of the geometric mastery of Islamic architecture. Through the stun-
ning northern porch is a small, octagonal oratorio (prayer room), with a magnificent
horseshoe-arched doorway leading into its mihrab (prayer niche indicating the direction of
Mecca).
Moving upstairs, you pass through rooms of the Palacio Mudéjar , added by Christian
rulers in the 12th to 14th centuries, then to the Catholic Monarchs' palace , which, as
though by way of riposte to the Islamic finery below, contains some exquisite Mudéjar
coffered ceilings, especially in the lavish Salón del Trono (Throne Room).
Guided tours lasting 50 minutes run throughout the day and are included in the admis-
sion price.

NEED TO KNOW
Aljafería (Calle de los Diputados; adult/under 12yr €3/free, free Sun;
10am-2pm Sat-Wed, 4.30-8pm Mon-Wed & Fri & Sat) ; tours ( in English 10am
Jul & Aug, in Spanish 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 4.30pm, 5.30pm & 6.30pm year-
round)

A lift (admission €2; 10am-1.30pm & 4-6.30pm Tue-Sun) whisks you most of
the way up the north tower (Torre Pilar) from where you climb to a superb viewpoint
over the domes and downtown Zaragoza.

LA SEO
(Plaza de la Seo; admission €4; 10am-6pm Tue-Sun, closed lunchtime Sat & Sun)
Dominating the eastern end of Plaza del Pilar is the Catedral de San Salvador,
more popularly known as La Seo.
La Seo may lack the fame of the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, but its in-
terior is easily its architectural superior. Built between the 12th and 17th centuries, it
displays a fabulous spread of styles from Romanesque to baroque. The northwest
facade is a Mudéjar masterpiece, deploying classic dark brickwork and colourful
ceramic decoration in geometric patterns.

Cathedral