(slides 23, 24, 25) Zaragoza is located in the region of the Iberian Peninsula known as the upper frontier. This region had traditionally been somewhat rebellious. Many of its local families were powerful enough to command armies that could resist the power of the Caliphs. Once the Caliphate weakened, one of these families transformed the province into a powerful independent state with Zaragoza as its capital. In the 11th century, a palace named the Aljaferia was built in Zaragoza. The images seen in slides 23 - 25 depict this palace. The Aljaferia's exterior is striking because of its fortified appearance. While Aljaferia served as a palace, its appearance indicates that it was also used as a defensive structure used in the military battles between the local taifa kings and against Christian armies. We can see that the palace drew on structural themes used in the Caliphal buildings of Cordoba such as the Madinat al-Zahra and the Great Mosque of Cordoba. Back to slides