Qusayr 'Amra
Azraq, Jordan
Built in the deserts of eastern Jordan, this eighth-century royal residence is an extraordinary surviving example of early Islamic art and architecture.
A World Heritage Site
Built in the deserts of eastern Jordan, Qusayr ‘Amra is an extraordinary surviving example of early Islamic art and architecture. The interior of this eighth-century royal residence is covered with lively murals depicting hunting scenes, the signs of the zodiac, episodes from secular life, and Byzantine-style portraits of rulers from Spain to China. The uniqueness and historical value of this painting cycle earned Qusayr ‘Amra UNESCO World Heritage site status, making it one of only a handful of heritage places in Jordan to be so recognized.
Our Work
Analyze and Conserve
In coordination with the Italian Istituto Centrale per il Restauro and Jordan’s Department of Antiquities, WMF helped analyze and conserve these irreplaceable paintings. The removal of harmful shellac applied in the 1970s not only brought a new boldness to the murals but revealed new details, enhancing our understanding of Umayyad art and culture.
Click on the image block to read more about our work at this site.
Qusayr 'Amra
World Monuments Watch
Through the World Monuments Watch, WMF collaborates with local partners to design and implement targeted conservation programs—including advocacy, planning, education, and physical interventions in the historic built environment—to improve human well-being through cultural heritage preservation.
Our Supporters
World Monuments Fund’s work at Qusayr ‘Amra has been made possible, in part, by support from The Selz Foundation, the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), the U.S. Embassy Amman, and The Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust.