The Palace of the Aljafería of Zaragoza

The most extensively preserved part of Pedro IV’s Mudéjar palace are those corresponding to the three big rectangular rooms occupying the space between the North Salon of the Islamic Palace and the wall, abutting in turn the western wall of the Troubador’s Palace.

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It is through Iñiguez’s intervention that the original layout of the Troubadour’s Tower was recovered, and a consequence of the demolition carried out, the high brick wall of the medieval Christian palace to its side was revealed to view. During the last restoration, the width of the wall up to the first decorated ceiling was recovered, making a slope to the same height as the existing wall on the eastern section. This austere brick wall is differentiated from the upper part of the façade, which remains unset since it doesn’t correspond in height to the widening of the lower wall, and to preserve the impressions of the arches and holes opened over time. The last element of this wall is a running balcony over brackets placed at the same level as the upper salon, and which allows exits to the doors of this room.

The wide room on the lower floor was known as the Room of the Tank until its last restoration, when the wooden ceiling that covers it was discovered and restored. It was called that because one could contemplate within it the mouth of the big well/cistern that lies beneath it. Since the restoration, and because of the careful study of the heraldry on its surface, it has been named the Reception Hall, which was its actual function during the time of Pedro IV.

It is rectangular in plan, and measures 7.55 m. to the east and 7.40 m. to the west on its short sides, and 16.55 to the north and 16.90 m. to the south on its long sides. The present height is 8.35 m. It is completely of brick, except the eastern section that makes use of the stone of the first floor of the Troubadour’s Tower that supports it, although there is a section of brickwork to enclose it. Presently, there are two doors: a medium sized one on the brick wall to the east, and a somewhat larger one on the west, that gives access to the rest of the palace.

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Originally, the hall opened directly on to the exterior through a big doorway, with a low arch, that measured 2.5.m.in width and 4.75 in height. Its contour has been partially retained in the interior by surviving limestone blocks. It is more probable that this door had a protective structure around it, an enclosed walled patio with or other means of entering it, although there is no archeological or documentary evidence of it as of now.

On the north wall, the pointed arches of a later reinforcement are also visible, as well as the perforations for subsequent framework when the structure was transformed into smaller barracks.

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The room is covered with a decorated wooden ceiling that contains a very interesting repertory of heraldry and ornament that we will examine in detail on subsequent pages. Aside from this ceiling, nothing else is known about the original decoration of this room. For Martín Bueno, Saez Preciado and Monforte Espallargues, who restored and studied the ceiling, it would have been an initial reception room, through by means of a great decorative display, fundamentally on the ceiling decoration, visitors would have their first contact and first impression of the power and magnificence of the King of Aragon.