Eastern Desert, 20 km east of Amman
8th Century AD

Residents – FREE
Non-residents – FREE

NO

North 31° 48′ 45″
East 36° 06′ 12″

4.4/5
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Qasr Al-Muwaqqar

Qasr al-Muwaqqar is an Umayyad-era complex located east of Amman, Jordan, notable for its advanced water management system. Constructed in 723 AD by order of Caliph Yazid II ibn Abd al-Malik, as indicated by an inscription found on-site, the complex once featured a palace, a large reservoir, and numerous cisterns. Although the palace itself has largely been reduced to ruins, remnants such as intricately carved acanthus leaf capitals and a water gauge column attest to its historical significance.

The water infrastructure at Qasr al-Muwaqqar was particularly sophisticated, comprising at least 18 remaining cisterns and a sizable reservoir that continues to be utilised today. This system was designed to collect and store rainwater, ensuring a reliable water supply in the arid environment and supporting both the inhabitants and passing caravans. The presence of a bathhouse approximately 700 meters southeast of the main complex further underscores the importance placed on water management in the Umayyad period.

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