Old photograph of Ibrahim Palace

Qasr Ibrahim (Ibrahim Palace) is a historic fort in the north of Alqoat neighborhood, Hofuf, Al-Ahsa, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. It is also called the Dome Palace, AlQoat Palace or Ibrahim Castle and is the region's main architectural heritage site from the Ottoman period. [1] It served as a Turkish military base. [2] It was seized by King Abdul-Aziz Al Saud on April 13, 1913 (5th of First Jumada 1331 AH).

The palace was constructed with a mosque that has a dome in 1555 (963 AH). During the next century, the palace was enlarged into a castle, prison and Turkish bath. In 2019, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage has announced that the procedures of renovation of all parts of the palace have finished. This restoration process included rebuilding the fallen parts, painting the buildings and preparing a main square for the tourism activities and festivals.[3][4]

History

It was built in 1556 by Ali Ibn Ahmed Ibn Lawand Al-Burayki, the Ottoman governor of the time. The castle was renovated in 1801 by the Saudi governor Ibrahim Ibn ‘Ufaysan. Several historians believe that the castle was named after him.[5]

Architecture

It is considered as one of the major architectural masterpieces in Alhasa and it combines Islamic and military architecture.[2][5]

The description of the palace

Ibrahim Palace covers an area of 16500 square meters. Moreover, it is characterized by an architectural style that blends the Islamic and military features with the traditional architecture styles of Al-Ahsa region. Those styles are exhibited in the arcs, domes and ornamental designs.

The architecture styles of the palace consist of two features:

The construction of the palace was constructed based on local materials. While its walls were made of mud mixed with straw, the ceilings were made of palm trunks, sandalwood and stones.[3]

The palace is square with a long fence and towers in the corners. The palace was provided with a group of observation windows, in which soldiers can look at the bottom of the fence.[6][4]

UNESCO Site

In 2018, Al-Ahsa Oasis became the fifth Saudi site to be registered on the UNESCO world heritage.[7] Qasr Ibrahim Mosque was included as one of the 12 sites in the Cultural Landscape of Al-Ahsa Oasis.[2][8]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Al-Ahsa Oasis (Saudi Arabia) No 1563".
  2. ^ a b c "IN PICTURES: Discover the history behind Ibrahim Palace in eastern Saudi Arabia". Alarabiya. 9 July 2017. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
  3. ^ a b "تقرير / قصر إبراهيم في الهفوف.. معلم أثري عمره 463 عامًا وكالة الأنباء السعودية". Saudi Press Agency. Retrieved 2020-08-17.
  4. ^ a b "ثقافي / "هيئة السياحة" تنهي ترميم قصر إبراهيم التاريخي في الأحساء وكالة الأنباء السعودية". Saudi Press Agency. Retrieved 2020-08-17.
  5. ^ a b Cetin, M (2010). "Cultural versus material: conservation issues regarding earth architecture in Saudi Arabia: the case of an Ottoman fort, Ibrahim Palace in Al-Houfuf". International Journal of Civil & Environmental Engineering.
  6. ^ "قصر إبراهيم". 2015-09-30. Archived from the original on 2015-09-30. Retrieved 2020-08-17.
  7. ^ "UNESCO: Al-Ahsa Oasis is a unique heritage landscape and an exceptional example of interaction between humans and the surrounding environment". scth.gov.sa. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
  8. ^ "Qasr Ibrahim mosque". UNESCO.

25°22′44″N 49°35′12″E / 25.3789°N 49.5868°E / 25.3789; 49.5868

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