Alfarje (meaning "paneled ceiling" in Spanish) is a type of horizontal wooden ceiling primarily found in Islamic (or Moorish) architecture[1] and Mudéjar architecture.
[3] The ceiling structure is made through a series of beams called girders, sometimes intricately carved and stylized with geometric patterns.
[5] One decorative technique that creates geometric patterns by nailing and interlacing pieces of wood onto a flat ceiling is known as ataujía in Spanish (adjective form: ataujerado/ataujerada).
[6][7][8] Other notable buildings that have alfarje ceilings include the Alcázar of Seville,[2] the Mosque of Cordoba, the Church of San Millán in Segovia, and the Aljafería Palace of Zaragoza.
[citation needed] It is also found in the ceilings of many convents and churches in central Mexico, where the influence of the Spanish Mudéjar style is apparent.