Location: 60 km (37 mi) North- East from Hama Map
Constructed: 6th century
Qasr ibn Wardan is a medieval settlement constructed 60 km (37 mi) North- East from Hama in Syria. Qasr ibn Wardan was constructed by the Byzantines in the 6th century during reign of Emperor Justinian I (ruled 527–565) as part of his massive attempt to reinstate Roman Empire as a World Power. In the West his armies took over Italy and North Africa, while in the East he ordered construction of frontier fortresses to defend his empire from the enemy intrusions. Impressive settlement that was erected in the Syrian desert was supposed to impress Sassanid Persians and local Bedouins and deter any possible attacks in the future. This complex consisted of a main administrative building, military barracks for Byzantine soldiers and a beautiful church constructed from two types of stone. In the early medieval period it was covered by a dome with a cross that was visible from a large distance away. Over time fortress was abandoned and many of the structures were left for natural elements. However unlike other Byzantine cities Qasr ibn Wardan was situated in a region with a low population. This preserved many of its structures from looting and quarrying for stone.
The palace is located to the east of the Syrian city of Hama, at a
distance of 60 km, where a group of three ancient buildings appear to
those approaching them in the distance as if they were the specter of a
great city consisting of three building blocks:
the palace
The
church is to the west of the palace
The camp is south of the palace.
Architectural style
The palace is characterized by a style called
ablaq (i.e. alternating stones in two rows and two different colors
during construction). This alternation exists throughout the palace and
its walls, in addition to an alternation between rows of brick and
mortar mixed with gravel and calcined, and between three rows of basalt
stone. The entrances are made up of large pieces of basalt stone, which
is made of Historically, it is the culmination of a predecessor
Byzantine era and a prelude to a successor Arab and Islamic era.
Architecturally, we can see the rich urban prosperity in each of its
sections.
It is clear that the naming and attribution to Ibn Wardan is purely
Arabic and is later than the construction of the palace, and it is not
in fact that Ibn Wardan was the owner or executor of the building.
Rather, the attribution is to an influential Bedouin figure who was
known about three centuries ago (Ibn Wardan), as this figure used the
palace as his residence (for comings and goings). It was the Bedouin
custom for sites to belong to whoever among them took possession of
them, even if for a short period. It is likely that Ibn Wardan is from
the Anza tribe.
It is also known as the Monastery of the Arches.
1- A great cruciform palace.
2- A large square, vaulted church.
3- A huge military barracks
The date 562-564 is noted on the upper
windows of the church and the palace.
Time of building the palace
The history of the palace dates back to the reign of Emperor Justinian.
It is the most beautiful of the three facilities, the most
prestigious, and the most spacious, with a cruciform shape. Its building
occupies an area estimated at 2000 square meters in a square shape, with
a square sky courtyard in the middle, with a side length of 25.5 metres.
Southern section
It consists of two floors (large halls - rooms).
In the middle of the group of this section is a large iwan, a large hall
with two halls on the east and west.
Eastern section
It is a
hallway extending to the north and one to the west. Its ceiling is made
up of arches and a tunnel roof that opens into the inner courtyard. To
the south of this entrance there is an ancient water well.
Northern section
It consists of one row of rooms with two small
towers protruding outward.
Western section
It consists of
eight rooms and above them is another floor, the supports of which are
still there.