Qasr Al Abed

The Qasr Al Abed is an impressive castle ruin located in the Wadi Seer, a few kilometers from the Iraq Al-Amir village in Amman. Built 2200 ago, it is one of the structures that date back to even before the Roman Empire. A small museum is also located here. A day trip to Qasr Al Abed is pleasant and quiet as it is usually not too crowded.

The two-story building has many stunning animal cravings. Some of these include the lions on the side of the palace, the leopard fountains, and the eagles on the corners. Though not much is established about this Hellenistic palace, it is believed that it was built by a powerful Jewish family called Tobiads. It is also believed that the palace was unfinished before an earthquake in 365 AD destroyed it. However, with restoration work, the palace offers some splendid insights into the architecture and history of its time. It was also built using some of the biggest single rocks used in Middle East buildings. The largest single block found here is seven by three meters. Also, earlier Qasr Al Abed was reached after crossing a dam and could be accessed through a large gate. Today, this area is found on the roadside, covered with shrubs and bushes.