Eman Safouri

Qasr Al-Mshatta, one of Jordan's largest desert castles and a major Umayyad palace in the Levant, is located around 32 km south of Amman and north of Queen Alia International Airport. Al-Mshatta Palace was built by the Umayyad Caliph al-Walid bin Yazid between 743 and 744 AD, with orange-colored burnt bricks used in its construction. The palace, with an area of 144 square meters, was a rest stop and a center for an active cultural and political life. The evidence indicates the palace was also used as a venue for receiving delegations and negotiations, which gave it special importance in diplomatic activities. The outer walls of the palace remain around 1.7 meters wide and vary in height from 3 to 5.5 meters, interspersed with 25 towers.

The palace showcased early Islamic stonework and carved plaster, with finely carved stone with floral, animal, and geometric motifs. The site hints at the caliph's grand vision, and it is believed to have provided accommodation for a large group of people, featuring spacious design and attractive architectural details that ensure the comfort of the guests. In addition to the suite that was designated for the royal family, which includes comfortable and elegant living spaces.

The ruins also include a mosque, a vaulted audience hall, and ancient facilities and are influenced by Byzantine and Sassanian styles. The palace is divided into three sections, with the middle third being the most built. The most beautiful feature of Mshatta is the intricately carved features on its southern exterior, which features a zigzag pattern creating a panel of triangular forms framing a rosette surrounded by a completely carved surface of interwoven vines, animals, and humans. The panel stands almost 3 meters in height and 2.5 meters in width, with Sassanian-influenced mythic animals and Coptic iconography inspired by vine and rosette ornamentation.

The grandeur of the palace's design, the beauty of its geometric patterns, and the pictorial inscriptions that adorn its structure highlight the skill of the craftsmen of that period. Furthermore, the site belongs to the rich cultural heritage embodied by the history of the Levant, making it an important center for tourism and cultural studies. Qasr al-Mushatta, once a prosperous complex, was a royal palace and administrative center; today, it stands as a testament to the artistic and architectural achievements of the Umayyad Caliphate. Qasr al-Mushatta remains a testament to an ancient era and continues to attract historians, archaeologists, and tourists from all over the world.

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