DOI article:
Byliński, Janusz: Survey of the Arab castle in Palmyra, 1993
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.43746#0146
SURVEY OF THE ARAB CASTLE IN PALMYRA, 1993
by Janusz Bylinski
The castle is a fortress built on a solitary hill west of the
ancient city. Traditionally known as "the castle of Fakhr ed-Din
Ibn Ma’an" (a Druze emir whose semi-autonomous power extended
over part of Syria and Palestine from 1590 to 1635), it was long
thought to be a late 16^ century stronghold. Inferior in quality to
such Islamic fortresses as Aleppo, Damascus, Bosra or Nadjim, it
is nevertheless much better (indeed practically completely)
preserved. Its attribution to Fakhr ad-Din has been questioned by
Khaled As’ad, director of the Palmyra Museum, who found some
specimens of 13^ century pottery inside it. Unfortunately, the
inscriptions which had once adorned the entrances are gone without
ever being recorded.
The survey in 1989 brought more evidence for the possible
medieval date of the building. It coincided with Khaled As’ad’s
concern for the restoration of the castle which is considered an
important monument. The Polish Mission was asked to prepare a
study which, apart from its archaeological value, should be useful
in any restoration works to follow in the future. The author was
assigned the task by the Director of the Polish Mission, Prof.
Michal Gawlikowski in 1990.
Working with architect Jan Kempa, the author completed
a preliminary architectural survey of the site and excavated test
trenches in selected spots inside the castle. Work was resumed in
1993 with generous support from the Max von Berchem Founda-
1 See: J. Bylinski, The Arab Castle in Palmyra, PAM IT, 1898-90 (1991),
pp. 91-93.
144
by Janusz Bylinski
The castle is a fortress built on a solitary hill west of the
ancient city. Traditionally known as "the castle of Fakhr ed-Din
Ibn Ma’an" (a Druze emir whose semi-autonomous power extended
over part of Syria and Palestine from 1590 to 1635), it was long
thought to be a late 16^ century stronghold. Inferior in quality to
such Islamic fortresses as Aleppo, Damascus, Bosra or Nadjim, it
is nevertheless much better (indeed practically completely)
preserved. Its attribution to Fakhr ad-Din has been questioned by
Khaled As’ad, director of the Palmyra Museum, who found some
specimens of 13^ century pottery inside it. Unfortunately, the
inscriptions which had once adorned the entrances are gone without
ever being recorded.
The survey in 1989 brought more evidence for the possible
medieval date of the building. It coincided with Khaled As’ad’s
concern for the restoration of the castle which is considered an
important monument. The Polish Mission was asked to prepare a
study which, apart from its archaeological value, should be useful
in any restoration works to follow in the future. The author was
assigned the task by the Director of the Polish Mission, Prof.
Michal Gawlikowski in 1990.
Working with architect Jan Kempa, the author completed
a preliminary architectural survey of the site and excavated test
trenches in selected spots inside the castle. Work was resumed in
1993 with generous support from the Max von Berchem Founda-
1 See: J. Bylinski, The Arab Castle in Palmyra, PAM IT, 1898-90 (1991),
pp. 91-93.
144