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OTT-DVD-141 - The journey to the desert castles of the Omaijades begins south of the Jordanian capital of Amman close to the Queen Alia Airport. The winter residence of Qasr Mushatta is no more. In spite of its poor condition this desert castle is exceptional among the former residences of the Omayyad monarchy as according to the wishes of Kalif Walid The Second the Qasr Mushatta was meant to outshine all other palaces in respect of both size and splendour. On the southern Azraq Amman Road is the impressive Qasr El-Kharaneh, the most well-preserved desert castle in Jordan. Some of its architectural features such as the Mesopotamian walls and decorative elements of the upper section indicate Persian influence. Azraq is located a hundred kilometres east of Amman on the edge of a sandy desert. Even today the Qasr Al Azraq Castle impresses with its dark basalt stone. It is more like a fortress than a noble residence and is believed to date back to Roman times and Emperor Septimius Severus. Entrance to the Qasr Al-Hallabat Mosque was highly restricted and only the caliph and members of his court were allowed to enter. Nevertheless, the Omayyad monarchs were not as religious as they made out. In fact the opposite was true as their desert castles often featured wild festivities! Any journey to the ancient and mysterious Ommayad kingdom with its fairy-tale castles and ancient bathing houses is an unforgettable and atmospheric adventure.
On Tour... THE CASTLES OF...
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 210 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m24s
Views: 10  | Comments: 0
Rating: Not yet rated
GTR-DVD-1259 - The Jordan Desert contains several mysterious ruins including the legendary remains of the ancient castles of the Umayyad Monarchy. Qasr Al Mushatta is the largest of the Umayyad castles although it gradually fell into ruins and much of it was used elsewhere as building material. No other desert castle was built with such megalomania and it was designed as the winter palace of Caliph Walid The Second. Paved roads have now replaced the former caravan routes. Close to the southern Azraq Amman Road is the quadrate castle of Qasr El Kharaneh. This fortress like building is one of the most well preserved desert castles of the Umayyad and its massive external walls and corner towers give it an awesome appearance. The small bathing castle of Qusair Amra is one of the most beautiful castles in Jordan. Its bathing house uniquely highlights the abundant luxury enjoyed by the former monarchs of the desert. The castle features a number of magnificent and well known wall paintings that depict various bathing and hunting scenes. Today the happy-go-lucky nature of the Umayyad monarchy seems to be far removed from Islam. Indeed, some of the scenes are of a sensual nature. The castles of the Umayyad desert: history, atmosphere and romance! Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.
Global Treasures THE...
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 210 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m30s
Views: 11  | Comments: 0
Rating: Not yet rated
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