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A getaway proposal to Zaragoza with three places classified as World Heritage is to visit the Seo, the Aljafería and the church of San Pablo), by virtue of its Mudejar past. But I was truly curious about another jewel, small but unique, the Patio de la Infanta, frequently the venue for large cultural exhibitions. It is located in a house that a nobleman (Gabriel Zaporta) asked to build in 1549.
I have allowed myself to make a photographic report for La Vanguardia's Readers' Photos, with an informative summary extracted from the brochure provided to visitors. My intention is to recommend that any visit to Zaragoza includes enjoying this impressive site.
The house had several owners and tenants (often nobles) and also very distinguished uses as the headquarters of Fine Arts, School of Music or Casino.
The illustrious economist and politician Ramon de Pignatelli (1734-1793) is one of the most prominent personalities who lives in the house. Upon her death, María Teresa de Vallabriga (wife of the Infante Luis de Borbón, brother of King Carlos III) lived there until her death in 1820, hence the patio will be, forever, the Patio de la Infanta.
The Infanta was a patron of Francisco de Goya, who made numerous portraits of her. She also interacted with other intellectuals of the time.
Subsequent owners and activities deteriorated the property, until it suffered a fire in 1894. The Patio was sold in 1903 to a French antiques dealer, Ferdinand de Schultz, who cut it up and moved it to Paris, as a showcase for an antique store.
An Aragonese personality, the director of a savings bank, in 1958 repurchased and moved the Patio, back to Zaragoza, keeping it until the final installation in its current location, in 1980. The recovery of the architectural jewel was successfully completed.
When visiting the Patio de la Infanta, anyone is amazed by the complex, which I partially detail:
