Hisham's Palace

Wow. Wow. A marvel of Islamic architecture from the same people who gave us the beautiful palaces and gardens of Cordoba, Grenada, Seville Spain, the beautiful mosaic inside the Dome of the rock. Mind boggling engineering and architecture. Another must visit place in Palestine

We were here for about 1 hour. An inexpensive ticket costs 10 nis. After watching the movie, we went to the museum. The museum is small but contains a lot of information. Then we walked through the archaeological excavations. I was especially impressed by the mosaic in the bath complex. I wish the museum could have more information boards in the exhibition, so that information can be obtained immediately on the spot. We did not regret at all that we came here.

Even if the site is in ruins and in some parts you have to imagine How it all looked like, it’s totally worth the visit. It’s a haunting place and the small museum is also worth a look. If yo do come you should also visit the Rockefeller museum in Jerusalem where they hold most of the inner plaster decorations of the palace.

Hisham's Palace Hisham's Palace (Khirbat al-Mafjar) is a palace complex built during the Umayyad period in the 8th century. Located near Jericho, Palestine, it was built between 724 and 743 during the reign of Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik. The palace is a prime example of Umayyad architecture and features structures such as mosaics, baths, a mosque, and courtyards, reflecting the luxurious lifestyle of the Caliphs. It was extensively damaged by the earthquake of 747, but its remains are now an archaeological site.

It is a historical site built by King Hisham bin Abdul Malik in the Islamic period, It is a large palace containing many rooms and contains a huge mosaic, and it was also a guest house for visitors and pilgrims crossing the road heading to Mecca or Jerusalem.

Extremely well-maintained, through the generosity of USAID. The massive mosaic, one of the largest in the world, was restored through Japanese support and was unveiled this week (October 2021). These photos, of the interior of the palace, are from the Rockefeller Museum in East Jerusalem:

The mosaic and ruins to see here are amazing. So many wonderful things to experience in Jericho, and Hisham Palace stands tall.

A beautiful and interesting site, recommended. A huge and stunning mosaic square