The Palace

On Monday, May 26, the weather was forecasted to be very hot, so we got an early start of the day. Aljafería Palace, built in the 11th century, served as a recreational palace for the Muslim kings who ruled the area. Entrance fee for the3 of us us was less than 1 regular fee. Sometimes it pays to be old.

We were greeted ny this site when we entered the palace. This is an example of Taifal art, showing the Moorish influence. Taifas were independent Moorish kingdoms of around 1000 AD

Patio of Santa Isabel

Ths painting by Brother Manuel Bayeu y Subías caught my eye. Apparition of Our Lady of the Rosary to Saint Dominic de Guzmán. I liked that the angels were little half beings, and the dog at the bottom left was interesting

The ceilings were amazing

The palace is also home to the Aragonese Parliament. The flag is the center consists of 4 parts, representing the four regions of Aragon. There was an exhibit earlier in the museum which quizzed you on which each of the region was. We did pretty good on the tests, but we failed the final. We can’t tell you what any of the regions are.

Another view of the Palace

Ken and Cathy at a fountain

Wake up and smell the oleander

I mistakenly included the next 4 photos as scenes from Aljafería Palace Gardens when they were Gail’s photos of Alhambra’s gardens

After we got back from our morning / early afternoon adventures, we did what the locals do on hot afternoons: we took a siesta. The Mercado Centale is closed from 2 to 5:30, so we woke up at 5:30 to shop, and had a wonderful meal from the fish and oroduce we found there. If Gail were with me, there would be photos of the meal. Alas, she wasn’t there, so you’ll have to settle for another sunset photo

Tomorrow is supposed to be even hotter, so we’re getting up earlier for a tower tour