The Mesa of the Cortes de Aragón on Thursday, 27 August 2026, approved two procurement files under the programme Aljafería Viva . According to the parliamentary administration, the decision secures a multi-year investment totalling more than nine million euros for restoration work and the technical modernisation of the Palacio de la Aljafería in Zaragoza, seat of the Aragonese regional parliament.
The first contract is for the complete restoration of the Escalera de los Reyes Católicos . A net sum of €200,408.54, or €242,494.33 including VAT, has been earmarked for the work. It will be funded from the Cortes’ budgets for 2026 and 2027. The estimated construction period is around three months. The Mesa also approved a preliminary project plan for the renewal of the air-conditioning and electrical systems in the historic complex. According to the administration, this strategic planning document was received on 31 July 2026 and will serve as the basis for subsequent tenders.
The decisions give the Aljafería Viva programme, which the Cortes presidency has positioned as a flagship project of the current legislative term, fresh impetus. The aim is to ensure the monument is preserved and restored while remaining functional. The parliamentary administration emphasises the Aljafería’s dual role: it is both a cultural monument of outstanding importance and the workplace of the regional parliament, with demanding requirements for security, climate control, energy efficiency and accessibility.
The funds now approved will allow tenders to be planned across several budget years. The administration believes they will also pave the way for further restoration contracts covering interior and exterior areas. The timetable and cost estimates are based on the plans presented and the decisions taken by the Mesa on 27 August. Specific dates for publication of the tenders and the start of work are expected as the next procurement stages proceed.
The Palacio de la Aljafería is one of Aragón’s most important buildings and a major attraction for residents and visitors. According to the Cortes, the technical modernisation is intended to combine preservation of the historic fabric with contemporary use, thereby supporting both parliamentary operations and the building’s cultural outreach. Further details of the work schedule will be specified as the implementation plans are drawn up and the individual contracts are awarded.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).