Archaeological · Homs Governorate
Qasr al-Hayr al-Gharbi
قصر الحير الغربي
34.3744° N · 37.6058° EExcavation photograph, 1937 · Institut français du Proche-Orient (IFPO) / Wikimedia Commons · Licence Ouverte 2.0
Photo sourceLicence Ouverte 2.0
“Umayyad palace estate, baths and water-management works.”
- Category
- Archaeological
- Era
- Umayyad, early 8th century CE
- Location
- Homs Governorate
- UNESCO
- Not inscribed
Overview
Qasr al-Hayr al-Gharbi is the western Umayyad desert-palace complex southwest of Palmyra, associated with Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik. The palace formed part of an estate with agricultural and hydraulic infrastructure, a bathhouse and a khan. Earlier Byzantine remains were incorporated into its architectural setting. The ornate palace gateway was relocated to the National Museum in Damascus; it should not be presented as still standing at the desert site. This page uses an explicitly dated 1937 excavation photograph of the actual site. The eastern palace, Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi, is a separate destination.
Significance
Umayyad palace estate, baths and water-management works
Notable Features
- Umayyad palace estate, baths and water-management works
Visitor Tips
- Confirm current access, permissions and safety locally before travelling. Photographs may show earlier conditions; do not enter unstable structures or excavation areas without permission.