Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi

The Qasr al- Heir ash- Scharqi (Arabic قصر الحير الشرقي ) is the oldest surviving fortified complex dating from Umayyad period and is located in the Syrian desert. It is located 128 km from Palmyra and 120 km from the ruined city Resafa and was used by the Omayyadenkalifen from Damascus as a summer residence. Translated, Qasr al - Heir ash- Scharqi " Eastern Wildgehege Castle ". Was named the Castle of the lush gardens that surrounded the palace once. Here, many animals were exposed that were hunted by the Umayyad caliph.

History

The castle was built before 729 under Caliph Hisham as a retreat from the capital, Damascus, plagued by epidemics. A canal system led by the water's edge, 15 km away oasis at- Taibe. Thus, the desert turned into a blooming garden, the Umayyad caliph in the happy retired. The castle had been built also from political considerations. The Syrian desert was crossed by important trade routes. So it was economically and politically one of the most important regions of the Umayyad rule. The Caliph built the castle so well with the intention of controlling resident Bedouin tribes and to protect the trade routes.

In the reign of the Abbasids, the castle was completed and continued to be used. With the relocation of the manor house from Damascus to Baghdad under the Caliph al - Mansur the palace fell into oblivion.

Attractions

The palace with the tremendous input is the most impressive part of the plant. The building is created square, the outer walls are each 70 m long. Inside is a large courtyard, reminiscent of a Khan. The city was next to the palace. The outer walls were approximately 160 m long and are still relatively well preserved. The tower of old mosque is located between the city and the palace wall. The minaret is also well preserved. To the palace and the city around also ran a 16 km long outer wall. From this it can be seen hardly anything today.