Al-Maquar
Encyclopedia
Al-Maquar is a royal residential complex in Amman
, Jordan
. The compound spans 40 hectares and serves as the residence of the royal family
of Jordan. The area was originally the camp-site for the armies of the Arab Revolt
, who captured Amman in 1918.
The first palace to be built on the complex was the Raghadan Palace
, completed in 1926. Raghadan became the official residence of the first King of Jordan, King Abdullah I
, who then went on to commission the construction of two more, smaller palaces in the 1930s; Al-Ma'wa (The Sanctuary) and Al-Qasr as-Saghir (The Small Palace).
Construction on another, larger project, the Basman Palace, began in 1950. Although it was originally intended solely as a guesthouse, Basman became King Hussein
's primary residence after he ascended to the throne in 1953, at the age of 18, following the death of Abdullah I and the brief rein of his father Talal
. The King changed residence in the 1970s, this time to the Hashimiya Palace to the north-west. Following his move, Basman Palace became the official offices of the Royal Court, a function it continues to serve. Also located at Al-Maquar is the royal graveyard, where Kings Abdullah I, Talal and Hussein were buried. The Nadwa Palace was also built on the compound, originally as the home for Prince Nayef, the second son of Abdullah I, although Hussein and his family used it as their official residence from 1980, prior to moving to the Bab as-Salam Palace. It currently serves as a guest palace. At the entrance to the compound the Raghadan Flagpole
, the third tallest free-standing flagpole in the world at 126 metres high flies a 60-by-30 metre Jordanian flag
, which is clearly visible across the city.
The residence of the British regent were built near the palaces and this is where the current monarchs of Jordan; King Abdullah II
, Queen Rania and their children reside. The offices of the royal court, including those of the advisers to the King, and the National Security Council of Jordan are situated at Al-Maquar.
Amman
Amman is the capital of Jordan. It is the country's political, cultural and commercial centre and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The Greater Amman area has a population of 2,842,629 as of 2010. The population of Amman is expected to jump from 2.8 million to almost...
, Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
. The compound spans 40 hectares and serves as the residence of the royal family
Royal family
A royal family is the extended family of a king or queen regnant. The term imperial family appropriately describes the extended family of an emperor or empress, while the terms "ducal family", "grand ducal family" or "princely family" are more appropriate to describe the relatives of a reigning...
of Jordan. The area was originally the camp-site for the armies of the Arab Revolt
Arab Revolt
The Arab Revolt was initiated by the Sherif Hussein bin Ali with the aim of securing independence from the ruling Ottoman Turks and creating a single unified Arab state spanning from Aleppo in Syria to Aden in Yemen.- Background :...
, who captured Amman in 1918.
The first palace to be built on the complex was the Raghadan Palace
Raghadan Palace
Raghadan Palace is a crown palace located in the Royal Court compound of Al-Maquar in Amman, Jordan. Constructed in 1926, the property became the residence of King Abdullah I who would go on to order the construction of several more palaces in the surrounding area. The palace is constructed in a...
, completed in 1926. Raghadan became the official residence of the first King of Jordan, King Abdullah I
Abdullah I of Jordan
Abdullah I bin al-Hussein, King of Jordan [‘Abd Allāh ibn al-Husayn] عبد الله الأول بن الحسين born in Mecca, Second Saudi State, was the second of three sons of Sherif Hussein bin Ali, Sharif and Emir of Mecca and his first wife Abdiyya bint Abdullah...
, who then went on to commission the construction of two more, smaller palaces in the 1930s; Al-Ma'wa (The Sanctuary) and Al-Qasr as-Saghir (The Small Palace).
Construction on another, larger project, the Basman Palace, began in 1950. Although it was originally intended solely as a guesthouse, Basman became King Hussein
Hussein of Jordan
Hussein bin Talal was the third King of Jordan from the abdication of his father, King Talal, in 1952, until his death. Hussein's rule extended through the Cold War and four decades of Arab-Israeli conflict...
's primary residence after he ascended to the throne in 1953, at the age of 18, following the death of Abdullah I and the brief rein of his father Talal
Talal of Jordan
Talal I bin Abdullah 26 February 1909 – 7 July 1972) was the second King of Jordan from 20 July 1951 until forced to abdicate in favour of his son Hussein due to health reasons on 11 August 1952....
. The King changed residence in the 1970s, this time to the Hashimiya Palace to the north-west. Following his move, Basman Palace became the official offices of the Royal Court, a function it continues to serve. Also located at Al-Maquar is the royal graveyard, where Kings Abdullah I, Talal and Hussein were buried. The Nadwa Palace was also built on the compound, originally as the home for Prince Nayef, the second son of Abdullah I, although Hussein and his family used it as their official residence from 1980, prior to moving to the Bab as-Salam Palace. It currently serves as a guest palace. At the entrance to the compound the Raghadan Flagpole
Raghadan Flagpole
The Raghadan Flagpole is a tall flagpole in Amman, Jordan. It was built from steel and erected on the grounds of Raghadan Palace at the royal compound of Al-Maquar. The leader of Jordan, King Abdullah II, officially hoisted the country's flag on 10 June 2003...
, the third tallest free-standing flagpole in the world at 126 metres high flies a 60-by-30 metre Jordanian flag
Flag of Jordan
The flag of Jordan, officially adopted on 16 April 1928, is based on the flag of the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. The flag consists of horizontal black, white, and green bands that are connected by a red chevron. The colors stand are the Pan-Arab Colors, representing...
, which is clearly visible across the city.
The residence of the British regent were built near the palaces and this is where the current monarchs of Jordan; King Abdullah II
Abdullah II of Jordan
Abdullah II ibn al-Hussein is the reigning King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. He ascended the throne on 7 February 1999 after the death of his father King Hussein. King Abdullah, whose mother is Princess Muna al-Hussein, is a member of the Hashemite family...
, Queen Rania and their children reside. The offices of the royal court, including those of the advisers to the King, and the National Security Council of Jordan are situated at Al-Maquar.