Qasr Mshatta, Desert palace ruins near Queen Alia International Airport, Jordan
Qasr Mshatta is a square palace complex in the desert featuring 25 towers positioned along its outer walls. The structure contains three main sections organized around a central courtyard with reception halls throughout.
Construction began in 743 CE under Umayyad Caliph al-Walid II but stopped after his assassination and a major earthquake struck the region. These two events halted the project permanently.
The limestone facade displays carved reliefs of animals, human figures, and geometric patterns that blend Classical and Sasanian artistic styles together. These decorations show the artistic influences that shaped the region at that time.
The site lies about 30 kilometers south of Amman with a drive of less than one hour from the city center. Visitors should prepare for hot weather and bring water and sun protection during their visit.
A section of the ornate southern facade was transported to Berlin in 1903 and now resides in the Museum of Islamic Art. This segment represents one of the few surviving examples of complete decorative work from that era.
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