Ali of La Palomera

Zulema L'Astròloga (1190-after 1229), was a Moorish astronomer.

She was a Moorish noblewoman living in Madina Mayurqa in 1229. She was the mother of Alí de la Palomera, who assisted James I of Aragon in the conquest of Mallorca. She was described as a renowned astronomer. After the conquest, she and her family were allowed to remain on the island. Tradition has recorded anecdotes about her. The medieval tower of Sant Elm a Andratx is said to have been the tower from which she watched the stars.

She is mentioned in the contemporary Crònica by Bernat Desclot, and the subject of the poem N'Alí de la Palomera by Pere d’Alcàntara in 1871, as well as in a poem by Tomàs Fortesa.

See also

• Timeline of women in science

References

• «Diccionari Biogràfic de Dones: Zulema L'Astròloga»
• Penya i Nicolau, Pere d'Alcàntara (1871). N’Alí de la Palomera. Jochs Florals de Barcelona. Barcelona: Estampa de la Renaixença.