Publication Date
101- 105 / 720 - 724
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Record ID
monument;ISL;jo;Mon01;30;ar
Library Location
The minaret is located in Al-Qastal Mosque, Al-Qastal is about 24 km southeast of Amman, along the road leading to Queen Alia Airport, Al-Qastal, Jordan
Date
101- 105 / 720 - 724
Notes
Al-Qastal is known for its Umayyad palace and the mosque adjacent to it. The minaret occupies the northwestern corner of the square in front of the mosque, and protrudes outward from the height of the walls adjacent to it. The minaret was constructed with trimmed blocks of limestone. The minaret has a cylindrical body with a diameter of 5 m, built on top of a rectangular base consisting of three courses 1.35 m high. The 3.27 m-high body is surmounted by a prominent band (cornice) that marks the beginning of the second floor of the minaret, and at the same time forms a base for attached Corinthian columns that protrude somewhat from the outer wall of the second floor of the minaret. Although there are now six columns, the base appears to have supported ten plastered columns incised with narrow vertical channels. It also appears that originally there were blind squinches between the columns in which narrow openings were drilled for lighting and ventilation. As for entry to the minaret, it was through a gate 60 cm wide that led to a spiral staircase. The importance of the Qastal minaret stems not only from its cylindrical shape, but also from the fact that it is the only remaining minaret from the Umayyad era in all countries of the Arab world.
Sample Text
Ghazi Bisheh “Qastal Minaret” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=monument;ISL;jo;Mon01;30;ar
