The complex of Qasr al-Hallabat is located in Jordan's eastern desert.[2] Originally a Roman structure constructed in the 2nd-3rd century AD to protect the eastern frontiers of the Roman Empire, although there is trace evidence of Nabatean presence at the site.[2] It was one fort of many on the Roman highway, Via Nova Traiana, a route that connected Damascus to Aila (modern-day Aqaba) by way of Petra and Philadelphia (modern-day Amman).[2]
In the 6th century, the fort was ceded to the Ghassanids as part of the foedus treaty with the Byzantine emperor Justinian. The Ghassanids significantly altered the structure and constructed a monastery.[3]
By the 8th century, the Umayyad caliphHisham ibn Abd al-Malik ordered the structures to be demolished in order to redevelop this military site and its neighboring territory to become one of the grandest of all Umayyad desert complexes.[2]
Umayyad complexedit
Guided by the extant plan,[dubious – discuss] Hisham incorporated a mosque (situated 15 meters southeast of the main structure), a complicated water system including five cisterns and a considerably large water reservoir, and a bathhouse.[2] Furthermore, situated to the west of the palace remains an enclosed structure probably used for agricultural purposes such as cultivating olive trees and/or grapevines, of which only a one-layered stone footprint is still standing.[2]
Qasredit
The main palace is built of dark and light stone, basalt and limestone, and has a square floor plan with towers at each corner.[2] Grand in stature, the principal structures were further enhanced with decorative mosaics depicting an assortment of animals, detailed frescoes and highly crafted stucco carvings.[2] The site remains to be completely restored.[dubious – discuss][2]
Mosqueedit
Approximately some 14 meters southeast of the palace stand the remains of the mosque.[2] Small in scale, it measures 10.70 by 11.80 meters and is constructed of layered limestone.[2] Inside, two arching riwaqs[clarification needed] divide the mosque into three sections.[2] A rounded molding extends the perimeter of the space at the height of 2.10 meters.[2] Similar to Qusayr 'Amra and Hammam as-Sarah, three barrel vaults support the roof of the structure. Encircling the mosque from the north, west, and east stood a 3.30-meter wide portico.[2]
Of the mosque, three wall sections, including the mihrab in the southern wall, remained intact from the original structure.[2] Recent reconstruction works have added back the collapsed[clarification needed] elements.[citation needed]
Galleryedit
Mosque (front view) after being largely rebuilt, Mihrab is visible in the interior back wall
Entrance courtyard
Mosaic floor at the castle
Greek inscription on basalt block in secondary use
The nearby modern town of Qasr Al-Hallabat is a municipality consisting of four villages. The area is inhabited by the Bani Sakhr tribe, especially the Al-Othman family.
^ abcdefghijklmnoArchNet entry for Qasr al-Hallabat and Qasr as-Sarah. . ArchNet. Aga Khan Trust with MIT. Archived from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
^Perry, Megan; Parker, Kathryn; Montgomery, R. Taylor (2015). "An Early Islamic Homicide at Qasr Hallabat, Jordan". Near Eastern Archaeology. 78 (4): 274–284. doi:10.5615/neareastarch.78.4.0274. ISSN 1094-2076. JSTOR 10.5615/neareastarch.78.4.0274.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Qasr Al-Hallabat.
A history of the excavation of Qasr al-Hallabat 2010-01-03 at the Wayback Machine
Photos of Qasr al-Hallabat, The American Center of Oriental Research (ACOR)
Photos of Qasr al-Hallabat at the Manar al-Athar photo archive
January 01, 1970
qasr, hallabat, arabic, قصر, الحلابات, umayyad, desert, castle, with, associated, bath, house, hammam, sarah, east, nearby, modern, town, named, after, castle, part, zarqa, governorate, north, western, jordan, north, east, capital, amman, قصر, الحلاباتrebuilt,. Qasr al Hallabat Arabic قصر الحلابات is an Umayyad desert castle with the associated bath house of Hammam as Sarah east of it The nearby modern town named after the castle is part of the Zarqa Governorate of north western Jordan north east of the capital of Amman 1 Qasr al Hallabat قصر الحلاباتRebuilt mosque left and qasr right Qasr al HallabatLocation in JordanCoordinates 32 5 00 N 36 21 47 E 32 08333 N 36 36306 E 32 08333 36 36306Country JordanGovernorateZarqa GovernorateTime zoneUTC 2 Contents 1 History 2 Umayyad complex 2 1 Qasr 2 2 Mosque 3 Gallery 4 Modern town 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksHistory editThe complex of Qasr al Hallabat is located in Jordan s eastern desert 2 Originally a Roman structure constructed in the 2nd 3rd century AD to protect the eastern frontiers of the Roman Empire although there is trace evidence of Nabatean presence at the site 2 It was one fort of many on the Roman highway Via Nova Traiana a route that connected Damascus to Aila modern day Aqaba by way of Petra and Philadelphia modern day Amman 2 In the 6th century the fort was ceded to the Ghassanids as part of the foedus treaty with the Byzantine emperor Justinian The Ghassanids significantly altered the structure and constructed a monastery 3 By the 8th century the Umayyad caliph Hisham ibn Abd al Malik ordered the structures to be demolished in order to redevelop this military site and its neighboring territory to become one of the grandest of all Umayyad desert complexes 2 Umayyad complex editGuided by the extant plan dubious discuss Hisham incorporated a mosque situated 15 meters southeast of the main structure a complicated water system including five cisterns and a considerably large water reservoir and a bathhouse 2 Furthermore situated to the west of the palace remains an enclosed structure probably used for agricultural purposes such as cultivating olive trees and or grapevines of which only a one layered stone footprint is still standing 2 Qasr edit The main palace is built of dark and light stone basalt and limestone and has a square floor plan with towers at each corner 2 Grand in stature the principal structures were further enhanced with decorative mosaics depicting an assortment of animals detailed frescoes and highly crafted stucco carvings 2 The site remains to be completely restored dubious discuss 2 Mosque edit Approximately some 14 meters southeast of the palace stand the remains of the mosque 2 Small in scale it measures 10 70 by 11 80 meters and is constructed of layered limestone 2 Inside two arching riwaqs clarification needed divide the mosque into three sections 2 A rounded molding extends the perimeter of the space at the height of 2 10 meters 2 Similar to Qusayr Amra and Hammam as Sarah three barrel vaults support the roof of the structure Encircling the mosque from the north west and east stood a 3 30 meter wide portico 2 Of the mosque three wall sections including the mihrab in the southern wall remained intact from the original structure 2 Recent reconstruction works have added back the collapsed clarification needed elements citation needed Gallery edit nbsp Mosque front view after being largely rebuilt Mihrab is visible in the interior back wall nbsp Entrance courtyard nbsp Mosaic floor at the castle nbsp Greek inscription on basalt block in secondary useModern town editThis section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed November 2020 Learn how and when to remove this message The nearby modern town of Qasr Al Hallabat is a municipality consisting of four villages The area is inhabited by the Bani Sakhr tribe especially the Al Othman family See also editDesert castles Jordanian art Umayyad architectureReferences edit Maplandia world gazetteer a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o ArchNet entry for Qasr al Hallabat and Qasr as Sarah Qasr al Hallabat ArchNet Aga Khan Trust with MIT Archived from the original on 16 June 2016 Retrieved 10 August 2009 Perry Megan Parker Kathryn Montgomery R Taylor 2015 An Early Islamic Homicide at Qasr Hallabat Jordan Near Eastern Archaeology 78 4 274 284 doi 10 5615 neareastarch 78 4 0274 ISSN 1094 2076 JSTOR 10 5615 neareastarch 78 4 0274 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Qasr Al Hallabat A history of the excavation of Qasr al Hallabat Archived 2010 01 03 at the Wayback Machine Photos of Qasr al Hallabat The American Center of Oriental Research ACOR Photos of Qasr al Hallabat at the Manar al Athar photo archive Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Qasr al Hallabat amp oldid 1222255454, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
