Qasr Al-Abd
The Hellenistic palace of the Tobiad Hyrcanus, built of giant stone blocks and guarded by carved lions
BuiltEarly 2nd c. BC
StyleHellenistic
LocationIraq al-Amir
Jordan PassIncluded
Introduction
Lions, eagles and big cats still prowl its walls.
In the green valley of Wadi as-Sir, about 17 km west of Amman, stands one of the most remarkable Hellenistic buildings in the Middle East. Qasr al-Abd, “the castle of the servant”, was built of giant limestone blocks by Hyrcanus of the Tobiad family in the early 2nd century BC, and lions, eagles and big cats are still carved on its walls.
The interior is open to visitors. In the cliffs above the village of Iraq al-Amir, a short walk away, are the caves of the prince, with the name Tobiah carved beside two of them.
Best timeMar–May · Oct–Nov
Time needed30 min
Ticket1 JOD · Jordan Pass
From Amman25 km · 40 min
Combine withQasr Al-Mushatta · 45 min
Google rating4.3 · Reviews
Highlights · A Hellenistic palace
Six things not to miss at Qasr Al-Abd
Giant blocks, carved animals and the caves of the prince
The palace is small but full of detail. These are the places that make the visit.
01 / 0601 · Architecture
The façade
The palace
A columned porch between two corner towers, rebuilt block by block by the French Institute.
Look closely
The columns between the towers.
1 of 6
Part by part
What to see
Five parts of the visit: the palace, its interior, the carved animals, the valley and the caves. Pick one to see what to look for.
1 / 801 · Outside
Walk round the palace
The building measures about 37 × 18.5 m and stood two storeys high, on a platform in an artificial lake held by a dam. Columned porches opened on the north and south.
From 1976 the French Institute, led by Ernest Will and the architect François Larché, studied every block and rebuilt much of the building by 1986.
37 × 18.5 mTwo storeysRebuilt 1976–86
Look for
- The columned porches
- The corner towers
- The giant blocks of the lower walls
Dig deeperPalace, temple or tomb?
The purpose of the building is still debated. Josephus describes a fortress, early scholars saw a temple, the French excavators a palace or country house, and some recent scholars a family mausoleum.
1 / 1102 · The interior
Step inside
The interior is open. Its blocks are among the largest used in the region, up to about 7 × 3 m, but thin, which made the walls vulnerable to earthquakes.
Unfinished carving here and there shows that the building was never completed.
Interior openBlocks up to 7 × 3 m
Look for
- The thin giant blocks
- Windows through the thick walls
- Unfinished carving
Dig deeperAfter Hyrcanus
The building was reused in the Byzantine period. Coins show a destruction layer of the 4th century, often linked to the earthquake of AD 363, with occupation continuing to the late 5th century.
1 / 603 · Lions and leopards
Find the carved animals
A frieze of lions ran along the upper storey, with eagles at the corners; the best-preserved carving shows a lioness with her cub. Two leopard fountains decorated the east and west walls.
Josephus describes the building with “animals of a prodigious magnitude engraven upon it”.
Lioness and cubLeopard fountainsEagles
Look for
- The lioness with her cub on the upper storey
- The leopard fountains low on the long walls
1 / 604 · Wadi as-Sir
Look over the valley
The palace stands in the green valley of Wadi as-Sir, about 500 m south of the village of Iraq al-Amir. Much of the Tobiad estate lies under the modern village.
Near the palace lies a large stone olive press.
Wadi as-SirOlive press
Look for
- The palace from the hillside
- The terraced fields
- The olive press
Dig deeperThe Tobiads
The Tobiads were a Jewish aristocratic family with their power base in the region of Ammon. According to Josephus, Hyrcanus quarrelled with his brothers, settled here and called the place Tyros. He died around 175 BC or a few years later.
1 / 305 · The caves of the prince
Climb to the caves
In the cliffs above the village of Iraq al-Amir, natural caves were enlarged into halls and rooms in two tiers. Beside two of them, the name Tobiah is carved in Aramaic letters.
The caves are free to enter, with no guard, and take about 40 minutes to explore. A women’s handicraft cooperative is in the village.
FreeNo guardAbout 40 min
Look for
- The name Tobiah beside two entrances
- The upper and lower tiers of caves
- The view over Wadi as-Sir
Read the full story
Dig deeperThe Tobiah inscription
The date of the inscription is debated: proposals range from the 5th to the 2nd century BC, and a study of the letter forms favours the 4th century BC.
History & significance
The palace of the Tobiads
Hyrcanus, of the Tobiad family, built the palace in the early 2nd century BC. Reused in the Byzantine period, it was rebuilt by the French Institute in 1976–86.
- 259 BCA Tobiad leader in Ammon appears in the Zenon papyri
- c. 187–175 BCHyrcanus builds the palace and its lake
- c. 175 BC or laterHyrcanus dies; Antiochus IV seizes the estate
- 4th c. ADA destruction layer, often linked to the earthquake of AD 363
- AD 1817–18Irby and Mangles describe the ruins
- AD 1976–1986The French Institute rebuilds the building
ProfileQasr Al-Abd: the full storyThe Tobiads, the carved animals and the history of the palace.Read the profile →Plan your visit
Everything you need to know before you go
Qasr Al-Abd is in the valley of Wadi as-Sir, about 500 m south of the village of Iraq al-Amir and about 17 km west of Amman. The caves are a short walk north of the village.
Good to know: the paths up to the caves are steep and uneven.
Opening hoursOpen daily8:00–17:00 (Jordan Pass listing) · caves open, no guard
Entry ticket1 JODResidents free · Jordan Pass · caves free
Time to visit30 min20–30 minutes for the palace, about 40 minutes for the caves
From Amman25 kmAbout 40 minutes by road
LocationIraq al-Amir31.9129° N, 35.7519° EGet directions
Opening hours and prices checked October 2026. Spotted a change? Let us know
On site
What you’ll find at Qasr Al-Abd
- Ticket office
Not on site: visitor centre, toilets, free parking, museum, guide available, food & drinks, market / shop, hotels · Access: no 4x4 needed
When to go
Spring, when the valley is green, and autumn are best.
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BestGood, cooler or warmVery hot
Tip: look for the lioness with her cub on the upper storey.
Before you go
The village of Iraq al-Amir has small shops and the women’s handicraft cooperative.
- Good shoesFor the paths to the caves
- WaterLittle shade on the walk
- Jordan PassIf you have one, it covers the ticket
- Cash in Jordanian dinarsFor tickets and crafts
Common questions
Quick answers before you set off.
Can I go inside Qasr Al-Abd?
Yes. The interior of the palace is open. Allow 20–30 minutes.
How much is the ticket?
1 JOD for visitors and free for residents; the site is included in the Jordan Pass. The caves are free.
Where are the caves?
In the cliffs above the village of Iraq al-Amir, a short walk north of the palace. They are free, with no guard, and take about 40 minutes.
Can I visit on a tour?
Yes. Our half-day private tour from Amman visits Qasr Al-Abd, the caves, the Al-Bassah cave church and the women’s cooperative.
Combine with
Qasr Al-Abd is an easy half day from Amman, or combine it with the desert castles south of the city. Drive times are from Qasr Al-Abd.
Private tours
A private day tour that includes Qasr Al-Abd
The tour is just for you: your own vehicle and driver, hotel pickup in Amman, entry tickets included, and one fixed price for up to three travellers.
Private: only your group
Your own vehicle & driver
Hotel pick-up in Amman
Entry tickets included
from$100per group (1–3) · 72 JOD
Tour 1 · Half day · Private
Half-Day Private Tour to Qasr Al-Abd and Ancient Caves
Experience refined cultural exploration on this exclusive half-day private tour to Iraq Al-Amir, one of Jordan’s most captivating hidden treasures. Travel in comfort with your personal driver and enjoy a flexible itinerary tailored to your pace.
Hellenistic palaceCavesCave churchWomen’s craftsHalf day
Duration3–4 hr
Pick-up9 or 10 AM
Group1–3, private
Included
- Private luxury transfer
- Entrance fees
- Bottled water, soft drinks, snacks
- Coffee/tea (on request)
- WiFi, Phone charger
Not included
- Professional on-site (local) guide
- Personal expenses
- Lunch
CancellationFull refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start. No refunds or changes within 24 hours.
Pick-upFrom your hotel lobby or home in Amman, 5 minutes before your chosen start time.
BringComfortable shoes, sun hat, sunblock and sunglasses. Tours run in English.
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