AL-UKHAIDIR
FORTRESS
![](640px-Al-Akhdar_Castle.jpg)
Al-Ukhaidir
Fortress near Karbala in Iraq
![](alukhaidirfortress3.jpg)
Coordinates
: 32.440556°
N 43.602222° E
Type : Castle
The
Fortress of Al-Ukhaidir or Abbasid palace of Ukhaider is located
roughly 50 km south of Karbala, 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
complex comprises a primary hall, a large Iwan, 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 who launched a rebellion against the Abbasid,
then later he became the governor of Kufa with the support of Qarmatians.
World
Heritage Status :
This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List
on July 7, 2000, in the Cultural category.
![](640px-Al-Ukhaidir_Fortress_(30655095821).jpg)
Al-Ukhaidir
Fortress / Palace
Gallery
:
![](640pxfortatnight.jpg)
![](640px-fortatday.jpg)
![](640pxinsidefortnight.jpg)
![](640px-fortnight1.jpg)
![](640pxinsidefort.jpg)
![](640pxfortpillars.jpg)
![](640px-Al-Ukhaidir_Fortess.jpg)
![](Al-Ukhaidir_Fortess_1.jpg)
![](USMC-041229-M-0095Z-123.jpg)
![](Al_Ukhaidir_Fortress_Iraq.jpg)
![](640pxfortinside2.jpg)
Source
:
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Al-Ukhaidir_Fortress