Qasr al-Azraq

Alternative Names
قصر الأزرق
Blue Fortress
Date
original structure ca. 4th century CE, rebuilt 1237 CE
Work Type
castle
fortress
Material/Technique
basalt
Style/Period
Ayyubid
Umayyad
Byzantine

The Romans built a stone structure using the local basalt stone that formed a basis for later constructions on the site, a structure used by the Byzantine and Umayyad empires. The castle underwent its final major stage of building in 1237 CE, when 'Izz ad-Din Aybak, an emir of the Ayyubids, redesigned and fortified it. The fortress in its present form dates to this period.

References

  • View of main entrance of vestibule, facing northwest
  • Qasr Azraq - Interior: Southern Entrance to Site, Under Tower
    View of entrance leading into courtyard, facing northeast from inside vestibule
  • View of walls of entrance leading into vestibule, facing south from courtyard
  • Qasr Azraq - Detail: Inscription Fragments Inside Central Yard Next to Southern Entrance
    Detail view of basalt block, facing southwest from near courtyard entrance to vestibule
  • Qasr Azraq - Exterior: Central Yard Facing Northeast, Mosque
    View of courtyard and mosque, facing northeast from near entrance to vestibule
  • Qasr Azraq - Exterior: Central Yard Facing Northeast, Mosque
    View of courtyard and mosque, facing northeast from near entrance to vestibule
  • Qasr Azraq - Exterior: Central Yard Facing Northwest
    View of courtyard, facing north from near entrance to vestibule
  • Qasr Azraq - Exterior: Central Yard Facing Southwest, Western Corner
    View of courtyard, facing west from center of courtyard
  • Qasr Azraq - Exterior: Segment of Northeastern Wall from Inner Yard
    View of north wall of courtyard, facing northeast
  • Qasr Azraq - Exterior: Central Yard Facing Southwest
    View of courtyard and mosque, facing southwest from north side of courtyard
  • Qasr Azraq - Interior: Arches in Northeast Corner of Castle, Facing Northwest
    Arches in northeast corner, seen facing west
  • Qasr Azraq - Interior: Arches in Northeast Corner of Castle, Facing Southeast
    Arches in northeast corner, seen facing east
  • Qasr Azraq - Interior: Arches in Northeast Corner of Castle, Facing Northwest
    Arches in northeast corner, seen facing west
  • Qasr Azraq - Exterior: Central Yard Facing Northwest
    View of courtyard and mosque, facing west from north side of courtyard
  • Qasr Azraq - Exterior: Central Yard Facing Southwest
    View of courtyard and mosque, facing southwest from south wall of courtyard
  • Qasr Azraq - Exterior: Eastern Corner of Site
    Northeast corner of site
  • Qasr Azraq - Detail: Niche on Southeastern Wall
    Detail: niche on southeastern wall
  • Qasr Azraq - Interior: Mosque in Central Yard, Arches
    Arches in mosque in central yard of site
  • Qasr Azraq - Interior: Mihrab Niche in Mosque in Central Yard
    Mihrab in south side of mosque in central yard of site
  • Qasr Azraq - Interior: Mosque in Central Yard, Facing South
    Mosque in central yard, with Arches and Mihrab in view
  • Qasr Azraq - Exterior: Central Yard Viewed from Atop Ramparts, Facing West
    View of courtyard and mosque, facing west from steps on north wall of courtyard
  • Qasr Azraq - Exterior: Central Yard Viewed from Atop Ramparts, Facing South
    View of courtyard and mosque, facing south from steps on north wall of courtyard
  • Qasr Azraq - Exterior: View Southeast Along Southeastern Wall of Castle
    View of west wall, facing southeast from on top of north wall
  • Qasr Azraq - Interior: Southern Tower
    Southern tower
  • Qasr Azraq - Exterior, Detail: Inscription Above Southern Entrance
    Detail of inscription above south entrance
  • Qasr Azraq - Exterior, Detail: Supports on Southern Tower Wall Above Southern Entrance
    Detail of supports on south tower wall above south entrance
  • Qasr Azraq - Exterior, Detail: Insciption on Southern Outer Wall
    Detail of inscription on outer south wall
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