Located roughly 85km from Amman, this complex from Quseir Amra is a desert castle built in the early 8th century, both a fortress with a garrison and a residence of the Umayyad caliphs. What stands today is a small country cabin, meant as a royal retreat, without any military function. It is most notable for the figurative murals that remain on the ceilings inside, which depict hunting, naked women and, above one hammam, an accurate representation of the zodiac. It was designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009.
It is a low building made from limestone and basalt. The northern block, two stories high, features a triple-vaulted ceiling over the main entrance on the east facade. The western wings feature smaller vaults or domes. The location and condition of the building renders it subject to moisture penetration, which in turn is affecting the integrity of the wall paintings, causing deposition of salts and detachment of plaster at the base of the wall.
About the stamp
The stamp, issued in 2003, is part of a definitive series named Triumphal Architecture, depicting Jerash, the site of the ruins of the Greco-Roman city of Gerasa.
References
Qasr Amra - Wikipedia
Quseir Amra - UNESCO official website
sender: Mervat Salman (direct swap)
sent from Amman (Jordan), on 30.05.2013
photo: Mohsen Ulama
No comments:
Post a Comment