Qasr al-Hayr al-Gharbi
About the place
- Country : Syria , Homs
- Address : Qasr al-Hayr al-Gharbi, Syria
- Category : Palaces and Castles
- founder : Hisham bin Abdul Malik
Qasr al-Hayr al-Gharbi
Overview:
• Qasr al-Hayr al-Gharbi is located in the middle of Syrian Desert, near Mount Ruwaq, 60 km southwest of Palmyra.
• This palace was called "Al-Zaytouna", which is the original name. As for the name "Al-Hayr", it is a modern name.
Historic overview:
• The construction of the palace is attributed to the Caliph “Hisham bin Abdul Malik.” The history of this palace is inferred from an inscription on the lintel of one of the doors of the khan. It is currently preserved in the “Garden of the National Museum” in Damascus.
• Qasr al-Hayr al-Gharbi is an Umayyad palace influenced by Sassanid arts. It represents visible Syrian art, and is one of the most important monuments dating back to the Umayyad era, which constitutes a key period in the Islamic era.
• The restoration work of "Qasr Al-Hayr" began in 1939 and then slowed down due to the Second World War. After that, the restoration of part of the palace in the National Museum in Damascus ended in 1950.
• The two towers, 14.45 meters high, were reconstructed, and two inner palace houses were constructed. Inside the facade, an open pavilion was established in which some of the palace's artifacts were displayed, with two models. On the upper floor, some barriers were erected, filled with statues. Inside, a large hall was left undivided in order to include the two famous paintings of the Fresko with some other pieces.
• In 1974, another branch was established in the Palmyra Museum. It displayed some of the remaining pieces from the antiquities of "Qasr Al-Hayr", and parts of the frescoes, sculptures. It should be mentioned that the facade of "Qasr Al-Hayr Al-Gharbi" is today the facade of the "National Museum in Damascus".
• The surviving ruins today of Qasr Al-Hayr Al Gharbi are the main witness to what the Umayyads reached in the architectural, engineering and decorative arts.
Architectural Description:
• The exterior of the palace is like a defensive fortress, as it has a high wall equipped with towers, and for each corner there is a high defensive tower equipped with openings that may be for observation or archery, and this tower is three quarters of a circle.
Resources:
esyria.sy website
The website of the Syrian Ministry of Tourism
discoverislamicart website
cometosyria website
discover-syria website
aawsat website
almasalla.travel website
artravelers website
