Historical Introduction: Architecture in the Shadow of Islam
With the spread of Islam and the expansion of the Islamic state, the need arose for buildings that would reflect the new authority and provide accommodation for rulers and administrators. The Umayyad era (661-750 CE) was the period that witnessed the beginning of the construction of Islamic palaces, as Muslims moved from relying on existing cities to constructing new centers of government that bore their distinctive architectural character.
Qasr al-Kharana in Jordan is considered one of the oldest known Islamic palaces, if not the oldest. It was ordered to be built by the Umayyad Caliph Al-Walid bin Abdul Malik (r. 705-715 CE) to be a strategic station and administrative fortress in the Jordanian desert. Although the palace appears to be a military fortress, it was not used for purely defensive purposes, but rather was an administrative center and resting place for rulers and officials.
Location of the Palace and its Geographical Significance
Qasr Al-Kharana is located in the eastern desert of Jordan, about 60 kilometers east of Amman, near the road that connected the Levant and Iraq. Its location was strategic, as it was used as a stopover for trade caravans and officials coming from Damascus, the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate at the time.
According to historians, the palace was part of a series of desert palaces built by the Umayyads to strengthen their control over trade routes and to demonstrate their power and patronage of culture and art.

Design of the palace and its architectural features
Materials used in construction:
- Limestone: The main material used in building the palace, extracted from the surrounding areas.
- Gypsum: Used in interior decorations.
- Local wood: Supported the ceilings and windows.
Structure and Interior Design
The palace is square in shape, approximately 35 meters long and wide, and has a huge facade with a huge gate in the middle surrounded by two round towers. The palace consists of two floors containing 60 rooms, arranged around an open internal courtyard.
Main design features:
- Pointed and decorated arches reflecting Byzantine and Persian influences.
- Decorative columns with an oriental character.
- Spacious reception halls that were used for official meetings.
- Small windows to provide ventilation and protection from the desert heat.
Different visions of the palace: Analysis from 4 different sources
1. Traditional Islamic sources
According to early Muslim historians, the palace was part of the Umayyad policy of building advanced government centers on the outskirts of the state. Al-Tabari indicated that Al-Walid bin Abdul Malik was a sponsor of construction and urban expansion, as the palace was not just a rest stop, but a model for governing in desert areas.
2. Western Archaeological Analysis
In a study published by Oxford University, the palace was analyzed from a purely archaeological perspective. The study indicates that the palace was not a military fortress, but rather an administrative center that symbolized the power of the Umayyad state. The interior decorations also indicate the influence of Byzantine and Sassanian architecture, reflecting the interaction of Muslims with the arts and cultures of the peoples they conquered.
3. Local Jordanian Sources
Jordanian documents highlight the Kharana Palace as one of the most important historical landmarks in the country, as it is viewed as part of the national heritage. Today, the palace is a prominent tourist site, undergoing continuous restoration to protect it from erosion.
4. Modern Architectural Reports
According to a UNESCO report, the Kharana Palace is considered an early model of Islamic palaces, combining simplicity in planning and grandeur in interior details. It also represents a first step in the development of the major Islamic palaces that were built later, such as Qasr al-Mushatta and Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi.
How long was the palace in use?
Although the palace was only inhabited for a short period, researchers believe that it continued to be used until the early Abbasid period (750 AD and after). With the transfer of power to the Abbasids, the importance of desert palaces declined, and administrative buildings began to be concentrated in major cities such as Baghdad and Damascus.
In later eras, the palace was used intermittently, but eventually it was abandoned and became a mere historical monument, until it was discovered and re-interested in in the twentieth century.
The importance of the palace in Islamic architecture
1. A starting point for Umayyad architecture:
Qasr al-Kharana was one of the first attempts to build a new architectural model that combined Islamic and pre-Islamic influences.
2. Introduction to the development of Islamic palaces:
Qasr al-Kharana is considered a precursor to what later became more elaborate castles and palaces, such as the Alhambra in Andalusia.
3. Study of construction techniques:
The palace reflects the Muslims’ use of local materials and advanced construction techniques, paving the way for the development of Islamic architecture around the world.
Conclusion: Why is Qasr al-Kharana the first Islamic palace?
Qasr al-Kharana is the first complete model of an Islamic palace built after the advent of Islam, and it is a witness to the transformation in the political and urban structure of the Islamic Caliphate. Thanks to its unique design and its integration of different architectural traditions, this palace remains a landmark in the history of Islamic architecture.
Today, visitors to the palace can wander through its corridors and look at its inscriptions and decorations that still bear traces of the Umayyad era, making Qasr al-Kharana not just a stone building, but a complete story of the power of the Islamic Caliphate at the height of its glory.