Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi

Location

Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharq is 28 km from Al-Sukhnah and 100 km from Sergiopolis (Rusafa), near Bishri Mountain near Palmyran Middle Mountains.

Syrian Civil War

During Syria Civil War, Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi was captured by armed groups in 2013, then by ISIS. The Castle has been damaged by looting and vandalism. The visitor house has been burgled. The Syrian Army recaptured the castle on 22 August 2017.

Architecture

Like other Umayyad architectural works, the construction style was influenced by Byzantine and Sasanian architectures.

The palace consists of a large open courtyard surrounded by thick bulwarks and towers guarding the entrances and each corner. The ruins consist of three main components, known as the Small Enclosure, the Large Enclosure and the Outer Enclosure, each of which differ in form and function. The palace(s) contains remnants of rooms, arches and columns which seem to be parts of a huge royal complex, including smaller structures, a reception hall, a mosque, a large bathhouse, gardens, courtyards and a complex water control system. Believed to each be made of a fine-grained limestone with an amber tint, these structures are each complex and visually stunning. In addition to the using stone, these towers exhibit a unique and charming decorative design, using brick and stucco. The bigger palace has been several floors, with a huge gate and many towers. Towers were not built as defensive measures. There were also olive yards. The palaces were supplied with water by nearby Byzantine church by a canal 5700 m long.

Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi was ultimately abandoned at the start of the fourteenth century, resulting in an unprecedented opportunity to study urban life, order and planning during the early Islamic period. The site was excavated in six seasons between 1964 and 1971 by renowned Islamic art historian Oleg Grabar. Excavation of this site provided a unique example for historians and archaeologists of the ecological developments and decorative elements and materials of the area, such as ceramics and coins. Some of the decorated parts have been moved to the National Museum of Damascus while the gate has been reconstructed in the Deir ez-Zor Museum.

World Heritage Status

This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on June 8, 1999, in the Cultural category.

Gallery

File:Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi, Walls and towers, Syria.jpg|Walls and towers File:Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi, Towers, Syria.jpg|Walls and towers File:Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi, Archs, Syria.jpg|Byzantine arches and columns File:Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi - GAR - 10-03.jpg

Notes

References

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4. (22 August 2017). "tigers captured Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi".
5. "UMAYYAD BUILDING TECHNIQUES AND THE MERGING OF ROMAN-BYZANTINE AND PARTHO-SASSANIAN TRADITIONS: CONTINUITY AND CHANGE". Late Antique Archaeology.
6. [https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1298/ Un Château du désert : Qasr al-Hayr ach-Charqi - UNESCO World Heritage Centre] {{webarchive. link. (February 13, 2009)
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9. Grabar, Oleg. (1978). "City in the Desert, Qasr al-Hayr East". Harvard University Press.
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12. "Un Château du désert: Qasr al-Hayr ach-Charqi - UNESCO World Heritage Centre".