{{Infobox settlement <!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage--> <!-- Basic info ----------------> |official_name = Qasr Tuba |other_name = Qasr al-Tuba |native_name = {{lang|ar|قصر طوبة}} |nickname = |settlement_type = <!--For Town or Village (Leave blank for the default City) --> |motto = <!-- images and maps -----------> |image_skyline = |imagesize = |image_caption = |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_seal = |seal_size = |image_shield = |shield_size = |image_blank_emblem = |blank_emblem_type = |blank_emblem_size = |image_map = |mapsize = |map_caption = |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |image_dot_map = |dot_mapsize = |dot_map_caption = |dot_x = |dot_y = |pushpin_map = Jordan<!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map --> |pushpin_label_position =bottom |pushpin_map_caption =Location in Jordan <!-- Location ------------------> |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = {{JOR}} |subdivision_type1 = Governorate |subdivision_name1 = Amman Governorate |subdivision_type2 = |subdivision_name2 = |subdivision_type3 = |subdivision_name3 = |subdivision_type4 = |subdivision_name4 = <!-- Politics -----------------> |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title = |leader_name = |leader_title1 = <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager --> |leader_name1 = |leader_title2 = |leader_name2 = |leader_title3 = |leader_name3 = |leader_title4 = |leader_name4 = |established_title = <!-- Settled --> |established_date = 743 BCE |established_title2 = <!-- Incorporated (town) --> |established_date2 = |established_title3 = <!-- Incorporated (city) --> |established_date3 = <!-- Area ---------------------> |area_magnitude = |unit_pref =Imperial <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired--> |area_footnotes = |area_total_km2 = <!-- ALL fields dealing with a measurements are subject to automatic unit conversion--> |area_land_km2 = <!--See table @ Template:Infobox Settlement for details on automatic unit conversion--> |area_water_km2 = |area_total_sq_mi = |area_land_sq_mi = |area_water_sq_mi = |area_water_percent = |area_urban_km2 = |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |area_blank1_title = |area_blank1_km2 = |area_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- Population -----------------------> |population_as_of = |population_footnotes = |population_note = |population_total = |population_density_km2 = |population_density_sq_mi = |population_metro = |population_density_metro_km2 = |population_density_metro_sq_mi = |population_urban = |population_density_urban_km2 = |population_density_urban_sq_mi = |population_blank1_title =Ethnicities |population_blank1 = |population_blank2_title =Religions |population_blank2 = |population_density_blank1_km2 = |population_density_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- General information ---------------> |timezone = UTC + 2 |utc_offset = |timezone_DST = |utc_offset_DST = |coordinates = {{coord|31|19|32|N|36|34|15|E|region:JO|display=inline}} |elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags--> |elevation_m = |elevation_ft = <!-- Area/postal codes & others --------> |postal_code_type = <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... --> |postal_code = |area_code = |blank_name = |blank_info = |blank1_name = |blank1_info = |website = |footnotes = }} {{coord|31|19|32|N|36|34|15|E|display=title|region:JO_type:city_source:GNS-enwiki}} '''Qasr Tuba''' is an 8th-century Umayyad ''qasr'' or castle in the Amman Governorate of northern Jordan.
==History== Qasr Tuba is the southernmost of the Umayyad desert castles in Jordan. Built in 743 CE by Caliph al-Walid II for his sons, al-Hakam and ‘Uthman,<ref>Hattstein, M. and Delius, P., ''Islam: Art and Architecture,'' Könemann, 2000. p. 72; Fowden, G., ''Qusayr 'Amra: Art and the Umayyad Elite in Late Antique Syria,'' University of California Press, 2004 p. 158</ref> it was initially intended to consist of two roughly 70-square-metre (750 sq ft) courtyard dwellings with projecting semicircular decorative towers, but the project was never completed.<ref>Fowden, G., ''Qusayr 'Amra: Art and the Umayyad Elite in Late Antique Syria,'' University of California Press, 2004 p. 164-65</ref> The structure appears to have been abandoned some time after the assassination of Caliph al-Walid.<ref>Petersen, A, ''Dictionary of Islamic Architecture,'' Routledge, 2002, p. 239; Meyers, E.M. (ed.), ''The Oxford Encyclopedia of Archaeology in the Near East'', Volume 5, Oxford University Press, 1997, p. 271</ref>
The structure of Qasr Tuba remains largely unfinished, with several architectural elements left incomplete or only partially constructed. Archaeological evidence suggests that construction was abandoned during the Umayyad period, possibly due to political instability following the decline of the dynasty in the mid-8th century. As a result, the site provides valuable insight into Umayyad building techniques and planning practices.
thumb|Qasr Tuba
The palace at Qasr Tuba might have been the residence or hunting lodge of the Caliph's sons,<ref>Fowden, G., ''Qusayr 'Amra: Art and the Umayyad Elite in Late Antique Syria,'' University of California Press, 2004 p. 158; Hansen, I.L. and Wickham, C. (eds) ''The Long Eighth Century,'' BRILL, 2000, p. 289</ref> as hunting was a favored pastime of the aristocracy.<ref>Petersen, A, ''Dictionary of Islamic Architecture,'' Routledge, 2002, p. 239; Meyers, E.M. (ed.), ''The Oxford Encyclopedia of Archaeology in the Near East, Volume 5'', Oxford University Press, 1997, p. 241</ref> It also served as a caravanserai and was part of the Caliph's program to improve the routes to Hijaz,<ref>Hansen, I.L. and Wickham, C. (eds) ''The Long Eighth Century,'' BRILL, 2000, p. 289</ref> at a time when the number of caravans passing through the region had increased substantially.<ref>''Jordan: Annual,'' Volume 36, Dāʼirat al-Āthār al-ʻĀmmah, 1992, p. 317 (translated from French)</ref> It lacks the imperial features associated with other desert castles, suggesting it was used as a temporary or seasonal residence rather than a permanent one.<ref>Hansen, I.L. and Wickham, C. (eds) ''The Long Eighth Century,'' BRILL, 2000, p. 290</ref>
The site was brought to art historical attention after it was visited in 1896 by the Czech explorer Alois Musil.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.jordanselect.com/qasr-tuba.shtm | title = Qasr Tuba – Jordan Travel Information and Guide | url-status = dead}}</ref>
==Description== It is situated about {{convert|110|km}} south-east of the capital, Amman. Its location is relatively isolated, in a desert location with difficult access.<ref>Teller, M., ''Jordan,''Rough Guides, 2002, p.4; ''Maplandia World Gazetteer''</ref> Most desert castles are located near to a source of water. Qasr al Tuba is no exception; wells are located nearby, close to a dry river bed ("wadi") and the site includes a dam and several wells.<ref>Petersen, A, ''Dictionary of Islamic Architecture,'' Routledge, 2002, p. 239</ref>
The surviving foundations and structures reveal its current layout as consisting of the west wing only; of an oblong enclosure measuring {{convert|140|by|72|m}}, almost a double square, or two symmetrical enclosures, each with a grand entrance, connected by an internal corridor, which could be cut off when necessary.<ref>Rogers, M., ''The spread of Islam,'' Elsevier-Phaidon, 1976, p. 108</ref> The enclosure walls are supported by semi-round towers, except on the north side where the two gateways are flanked by two square rooms. The northwestern section is nearly intact and several lengths of curtain-wall exist on the western side.<ref>Petersen, Andrew, ''Dictionary of Islamic Architecture,'' Routledge, 2002, p. 239</ref> A prayer chapel has also been identified on the site.<ref>حولية دائرة الآثار العامة, Volume 56, Jordan: Dāʼirat al-Āthār al-ʻĀmmah, Department of Antiquities, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, 2012, p. 57</ref>
The surviving structures consist of ashlar masonry with baked brick and barrel-vaulted roofs. The lintels are decorated with rosettes intertwined with plant leaves, which give the impression of fine lace work.<ref>Talgamm T., ''The Stylistic Origins of Umayyad Sculpture and Architectural Decoration,'' Part 1, Otto Harrassowitz Verlag, 2004, p. 44</ref>
It is a prime example of an Umayyad construction of brick vaults set on brick walls.<ref>Grabar, O., Holod, R., Knustad, J. and Trousdale, W, ''City in the Desert,''Harvard CMES, 1978, p. 152</ref> The ''Lonely Planet Guide'' describes it as "easily the most impressive of the lesser-known castles."<ref>"Jordan- Eastern Desert Attractions," Online: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/jordan/eastern-desert/attractions/qasr-al-tuba/a/poi-sig/1106901/361086</ref>
==See also== * Desert castles * Islamic art * Islamic architecture
* Jordanian art * Umayyad architecture
==References== <references />
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20101213235205/http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.jsp?site_id=7366 Qasr al-Tuba], Archnet Digital Library. *[https://acor.digitalrelab.com/index.php?s=filter=place_name:Qasr%20Tuba%20(Jordan) Photos of Qasr Tuba], American Center of Research *[http://www.atlastours.net/jordan/qasr_tuba.html A general website about Qasr Tuba] *[http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/199005/qasr.tuba.htm Website about the discovery of Qasr Tuba] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318105116/http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/199005/qasr.tuba.htm |date=2014-03-18 }}
==Further reading== * Jonathan Bloom and Sheila Blair (eds), ''Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art & Architecture,'' [Three-Volume Set], Oxford University Press, 2009
{{Umayyad Desert Castles}} {{Amman Governorate}}
Category:Amman Governorate Category:Desert castles in Jordan Category:8th-century establishments in the Umayyad Caliphate