Art History Paper on the Aljaferia Palace
I. Introduction The Aljafería Palace is a medieval Islamic palace built during the 11th century and located in the heart of present day Zaragoza, Spain. The palace reflects the splendor attained by the kingdom of the taifa of Zaragoza at the height of its grandeur. Today, the Aljaferia Palace contains the Cortes or regional parliament of the autonomous community of Aragon. The structure holds unique importance in that it is the only conserved testimony of a large building of Spanish Islamic architecture of the era of the Taifas, independent kingdoms.
As a work of art, the Aljaferia Palace belongs to the style of Mudéjar Art. Mudéjar Art, a style which is native and unique to the history of Spain, was a meeting point between Christianity and Islam. The term Mudéjar refers to the Muslims who continued to practice their religion and their customs in the territories which became part of the Christian dominions as the Reconquest of the Hispanic kingdoms advanced into southern Spain. It came into being and flourished thanks to the social phenomenon represented by the climate of peaceful coexistence between three cultures: Christian, Muslim and Jewish. This system of artistic work –a heritage of the Islamic tradition– left its mark both on Christian architecture and on its sumptuary arts.
Mudéjar art is widely accepted as a hybrid of Moorish, Gothic and Romanesque styles. After the capture of Zaragoza in 1118 by Alfonso I of Aragon during the reconquista, the Aljaferia Palace became the residence of the Christian kings of the Kingdom of Aragon and as such was converted into the focal point for spread of the Mudéjar Architecture of Aragon.
II. History
The Aljaferia Palace was built during the second part of the 11th century in the Moorish independent Muslim state called the Taifa of Zaragoza, present day Zaragoza, Spain. It was built to be the residence of the Banu Hud dynasty during the era of Abu Jaffar Al-Muqtadir after abolishing Banu Tujibi of Kindah
As a work of art, the Aljaferia Palace belongs to the style of Mudéjar Art. Mudéjar Art, a style which is native and unique to the history of Spain, was a meeting point between Christianity and Islam. The term Mudéjar refers to the Muslims who continued to practice their religion and their customs in the territories which became part of the Christian dominions as the Reconquest of the Hispanic kingdoms advanced into southern Spain. It came into being and flourished thanks to the social phenomenon represented by the climate of peaceful coexistence between three cultures: Christian, Muslim and Jewish. This system of artistic work –a heritage of the Islamic tradition– left its mark both on Christian architecture and on its sumptuary arts.
Mudéjar art is widely accepted as a hybrid of Moorish, Gothic and Romanesque styles. After the capture of Zaragoza in 1118 by Alfonso I of Aragon during the reconquista, the Aljaferia Palace became the residence of the Christian kings of the Kingdom of Aragon and as such was converted into the focal point for spread of the Mudéjar Architecture of Aragon.
II. History
The Aljaferia Palace was built during the second part of the 11th century in the Moorish independent Muslim state called the Taifa of Zaragoza, present day Zaragoza, Spain. It was built to be the residence of the Banu Hud dynasty during the era of Abu Jaffar Al-Muqtadir after abolishing Banu Tujibi of Kindah
References: https://aulaglobal2.uc3m.es/file.php/37496/9.Islamicsin.pdf http://www.travelinginspain.com/zaragoza/aljaferia_zaragoza.htm http://islamic-arts.org/2012/the-aljaferia-palace/ http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.jsp?site_id=4821 http://www.spain.info/en/conoce/monumentos/zaragoza/palacio_de_la_aljaferia.html