The Fortress of Al-Ukhaidir ( ar, حصن الأخيضر) or Abbasid palace of Ukhaider is located roughly 50 km south of

Karbala Karbala or Kerbala ( ar, كَرْبَلَاء, Karbalāʾ , , also ;) is a city in central Iraq, located about southwest of Baghdad, and a few miles east of Lake Milh, also known as Razzaza Lake. Karbala is the capital of Karbala Governorat ...

, Iraq. It is a large, rectangular fortress erected in 775 AD with a unique defensive style. Constructed by the Abbasid caliph As-Saffah's nephew Isa ibn Musa, Ukhaidir represents Abbasid architectural innovation in the structures of its courtyards, residences and mosque. Excavations at Ukhaidir were conducted in the early 20th century by Gertrude Bell, who wrote the first major report on the remains. Ukhaidir was an important stop on regional trade routes, similar to Atshan and Mujdah.The Fortress of Al-Ukhaidar - UNESCO World Heritage Centre
/ref> The complex comprises a primary hall, a large

Iwan An iwan ( fa, ایوان , ar, إيوان , also spelled ivan) is a rectangular hall or space, usually vaulted, walled on three sides, with one end entirely open. The formal gateway to the iwan is called , a Persian term for a portal projecting ...

, a reception hall and servants quarters. The fortress exemplifies Abbasid architecture in Iraq by demonstrating the "despotic and the pleasure-loving character of the dynasty" in its grand size but cramped living quarters. The current name could be related to ''Isma'il ibn Yusuf al-Ukhaidhir'' from

Banu Ukhaidhir The Banu 'l-Ukhaidhir ( ar, بنو الأخيضر), informally as Ukhaydhirites, was an Arab dynasty that ruled in Najd and al-Yamamah (central Arabia) from 867 to at least the mid-eleventh century. An Alid dynasty, they were descendants of Muha ...

who launched a rebellion against the Abbasid, then later he became the governor of Kufa with the support of

Qarmatians The Qarmatians ( ar, قرامطة, Qarāmiṭa; ) were a militant Isma'ilism, Isma'ili Shia Islam, Shia movement centred in Al-Ahsa Oasis, al-Hasa in Eastern Arabia, where they established a Utopia#Religious utopias, religious-utopian Socialis ...

World Heritage Status

This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on July 7, 2000, in the Cultural category.

Gallery

File:حصن الاخيضر.jpg File:حصن الاخيضر 8.jpg File:حصن الاخيضر في كربلاء.jpg File:حصن الاخيضر بشكل جديد.jpg File:حصن الاخيضر (5).jpg File:Al-Ukhaidir Fortess.jpg File:Al-Ukhaidir Fortess 1.jpg File:USMC-041229-M-0095Z-123.jpg File:Al Ukhaidir Fortress Iraq عراق.jpg File:حصن الاخيضر (2).jpg

Notes

References

Ukhaidir (Iraq) - About.com
Accessed 2009-09-25. * Hillenbrand, R (1999), ''Islamic Art and Architecture'', Thames and Hudson, 1999. Buildings and structures completed in 775 World Heritage Sites in Iraq Karbala Governorate Military history of the Abbasid Caliphate Abbasid palaces Castles in Iraq Palaces in Iraq Lakhmids {{Palace-stub