Qasr Amra

Azraq, Zarqa Governorate, Jordan

A UNESCO World Heritage desert palace famous for its remarkably preserved frescoes depicting hunting scenes, bathing women, and zodiac imagery — evidence of the cosmopolitan culture of the Umayyad court.

Historical Context

Part of a network of Umayyad desert palaces in the Jordanian steppe, Qasr Amra served as a royal retreat combining a reception hall with a bathhouse complex (hammam). Its paintings include depictions of six contemporary kings — including the Byzantine emperor and the Visigothic king — acknowledging the Umayyad caliph's supremacy.