Location: Zarqa Governorate Map
Constructed: 711- 715 AD by Umayyad caliph Walid I
Entrance Fee: JD 1 (tickets can be used in Qasr Kharana and Qsar al-Azraq)
Open: 8am- 6pm May- Sept
8am- 4pm Oct- Apr
Qasr Amra or Quseir Amra is located in Zarqa Governorate in Jordan. It is one of many desert citadels that were abandoned in the Jordanian desert. Due to their remote location Qasr Amra was not quarried for stone and their frescoes were not damaged by vandals. Qasr Amra was constructed in 712- 715 AD by Umayyad caliph Walid I to secure his military power over the region. In addition to house military garrison Qasr Amra was used as a rest stop for multiple Arab caravans that passed through the region on their way to or from corners of the known World.
The main building of the Qasr Amra complex kept its well preserved main hall with adjoining baths, decorated with colorful wall murals. Despite centuries of neglect and abandonment the colors of these frescoes did not significantly fade due to dry air. The paintings of Qasr Amra Castle include hunting scenes, allegorical figures from history, philosophy and poetry. Additionally early medieval artists portrayed images of great leaders of the time including the Byzantine Emperor, King of Spain, king Negus of Abyssinia (modern day Ethiopia in the North- East Africa), King of India and the Emperor of China. It is highly unlikely that the unknown artists met any of these political figures. Instead he probably used verbal description of traders who passed through Qasr Amra.
Paintings of the former fortress is quiet unusual for the Muslim World. Current tradition technically forbids depiction of animals and humans. Apparently at the time of construction of Qasr Amra Arab was lenient towards self- expression.