Casa de Ya’far, Madinat al-Zahra

This is the winner of a Diploma

Restoration of a palatial residence dating to the Caliphate of Cordoba (10th century) and musealization of the “Casa de Ya’far” at Madinat al-Zahra. Integration of the Residence into the area of Madinat al-Zahra already open to public visits. The restoration of the building carried out was faithful through use of anastylosis and was based on extensive research.

An important breakthrough of this project was that archaeological excavation was perceived as an enduring activity alongside conservation. Released from the secondary role it usually plays, archaeology is transformed into the backbone of the musealization process.

“For the splendid recovery of a unique example of Islamic palatial residential architecture from the Caliphate of al-Andalus, founded on detailed archaeological research, independently of any value judgement.”