Qasr al-'Ashiq ( ar, قصر العاشق) is a historical palace dates back to the Abbasid era, located near the city of

Samarra Samarra ( ar, سَامَرَّاء, ') is a city in Iraq. It stands on the east bank of the Tigris in the Saladin Governorate, north of Baghdad. The city of Samarra was founded by Abbasid Caliph Al-Mutasim for his Turkish professional army ...

, Iraq.

Location

It is situated at 16km west of the modern city of Samarra, on the western bank of the Tigris."قصر العاشق" في سامراء : تاريخ وأطلال وقصة عشق لا تنتهي
''Al-Hayat''. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
''Cultural Property Training Resource''. Retrieved January 9, 2018.

History

The palace was commissioned under the 15th Abbasid caliph Al-Mu'tamid, and construction took place during 877–882. Accounts differ regarding the person who was assigned to construct this palace. Yaqut al-Hamawi mentions the name of Ali bin Yahi al-Munajam and Moez al-Dawla who initiated the groundbreaking. Emir 'Amad al-Dawla wrote a poem about this palace. During the medieval period, it was referred to as "al-Ma'shuq ( ar, المعشوق)" which means "beloved".Qasr al-'Ashiq
''Archnet''. Retrieved January 9, 2018. The palace was excavated in 1960s and restored during the 1980s.

Architecture

Qasr al-'Ashiq is a prominent surviving example of the Abbasid architectural style palace. The building is rectangular shaped and consists of two floors, one of which has been used as

catacombs Catacombs are man-made subterranean passageways for religious practice. Any chamber used as a burial place is a catacomb, although the word is most commonly associated with the Roman Empire. Etymology and history The first place to be referred ...

and vaults. It is surrounded by large yards, which are surrounded by walls. Outside the walls exist a long

moat A moat is a deep, broad ditch, either dry or filled with water, that is dug and surrounds a castle, fortification, building or town, historically to provide it with a preliminary line of defence. In some places moats evolved into more extensive ...

, in which water flows from the underground channel which begins from the western highlands. Surface of the moat is higher than the nearby river.

Gallery

File:قصر العاشق 02.JPG, Close up File:قصر العاشق 03.JPG, View of the corridor

References

Buildings and structures completed in the 9th century Abbasid palaces Buildings and structures in Samarra Palaces in Iraq {{Palace-stub