Jordan's Royal Residences

Josefine · #1 07-16-2003, 05:10 PM

Are there any pictures of the royal houses, It would be great to see pictures and get to know something about them.

Raia · #2 07-16-2003, 06:07 PM

information from kinghussein.gov.jo

Raghadan Palace:

The word Raghadan originates from the Arabic verb, "raghad" to reflect a comfortable life.

When Raghadan was built in 1926, it cost £1,600 to build. Stones from the southern town of Ma’an were used for the exterior. Its windows were made from colored glass to resemble the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. The wood work in the palace generally and the Throne Hall in particular was of exceptional beauty. It became the home of King Abdullah and his family, and was also used as offices for the Royal Court.

It underwent some renovation over the years, the latest was to take place during the late 1980’s following a fire that destroyed the roof in 1983. The latest restoration and expansion were comprehensive. It included new flooring in the Throne Hall and to several other rooms. In particular, the former ceiling fresco in the Throne Hall depicting Islamic art was remade to its original beauty and the same Islamic architectural features of the original building as well as the exterior outlook were all preserved. A special galleried area on the ground floor, which came to be known as "al-Maqqar al-A'la", meaning, a form of a sublime sanctuary, was used by King Abdullah for prayers, solitude and reflection, and remains preserved as such to this day.
Today, Raghadan Palace contains one of the most important rooms of the Crown properties. The most distinguished is the Throne Hall, which is used for state occasions, such as when the King receives good wishes from dignitaries and the general public during Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. It is also used when His Majesty accepts credentials of new ambassadors, and for receiving members of the Senate and the Lower House, to deliver their replies to His Majesty’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament. The palace also houses some of the official gifts that have been presented to King Hussein and the Hashemite family. Additionally, the palace serves as a primary location for working meetings between the King and visiting heads of states and dignitaries.

Raghadan is located within the Royal Court compound.

Raia · #3 07-16-2003, 06:09 PM

information from kinghussein.gov.jo

Basman Palace:

The word Basman originates from the Arabic verb which means to be joyful.

Construction of Basman Palace began under King Abdullah in 1950. It was designed as a guest reception palace, additional working offices for the Royal Court, and a private wing for King Abdullah. However, part of Basman became the private living quarters of His Majesty King Hussein in the early fifties before it entirely became the working offices of the Royal Court. This came to be known as al-Diwan al-Malaki, the Royal Court.

The building underwent some renovation and expansion over the years. During the early 1980’s, a new official banquet hall and a reception area were renovated on the western part of Basman as well as a new meeting room to the eastern section, yet preserving the same architectural beauty of the building.
Today, the building contains His Majesty King Abdullah’s offices, as well as offices for His Royal Highness Prince Muhammad and His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan. Prince El Hassan’s office was used for a short time by King Abdullah before his death in July 1951. Basman is also used by the main officials of the Royal Court.

Basman Palace is located within the Royal Court compound.

Raia · #4 07-16-2003, 06:11 PM

information from kinghussein.gov.jo

Al-Qasr Al-Sagheer:

In English, this would be the "Little Palace". It is situated a few steps to the north of Raghadan Palace and was built in the 1930s for the use of the then Crown Prince Talal (later King) and Princess Zein al-Sharaf. Their first child, Prince (later King) Hussein was born in this building.

Following the latest renovation of Raghadan, this building was used in 1990 to accommodate the Royal Commission for drafting the National Charter. It was also used as working offices for His Majesty the late King Hussein and some officials of the Court. Most recently, it held the offices of the National Security Council.

Al-Qasr al-Sagheer is located within the Royal Court compound.

mybags · #5 07-16-2003, 06:12 PM

This is a picture of Prince El Hassan's home. It is one of the oldest in Amman. I do hope this is what you mean when you say Royal Houses Josefine? Here is an interesting trivia fact: Princess Sarvath (El Hassan's wife) was the first woman in Jordan to achieve a black-belt in karate!

This picture is from the Official Website of Prince El Hassan of Jordan.

Raia · #6 07-16-2003, 06:13 PM

information from kinghussein.gov.jo

Qasr Al-Ma’wa:

Al-Ma’wa, or the "Sanctuary" was also built during the 1930’s. Al-Ma’wa, or "the top one" as it was referred to, was used by King Abdullah to receive representatives of Jordanian tribes every Friday.

In 1979, al-Ma’wa became working offices for Her Majesty Queen Noor. It was renovated and expanded during the mid 1980’s.

Al-Ma’wa is located within the Royal Court compound.

Raia · #7 07-16-2003, 06:14 PM

information from kinghussein.gov.jo

Bab As-Salaam:

Bab As-Salaam, or "the Gate of Peace," was the final home of His Majesty King Hussein. Her Majesty Queen Noor continues to live there today. It was named after one of the entrances to Al-Haram al-Sharif, or "the Great Mosque" in Mecca.

Bab As-Salaam is located within the Hummar area, a short distance to the northwest of Amman.

Raia · #8 07-16-2003, 06:16 PM

information from kinghussein.gov.jo

Nadwa Palace:

The Arabic for Nadwa means "the assembly expanse". Nadwa was the private home of His Royal Highness Prince Nayef Bin Abdullah. In 1980, it was renovated to become the home of Their Majesties King Hussein and Queen Noor, and remained so until their move to Bab As-Salaam. Nadwa is today a guest palace.

It is located in the Royal Court compound in central Amman

Raia · #9 07-16-2003, 06:17 PM

information from kinghussein.gov.jo

Al-Hashmiya Palace (Dar al-Bir):

Located on high ground in the Hummar area, the Palace was built during the mid 1970s to be the home of Their Majesties King Hussein and Queen Alia, until the Queen’s tragic death on February 9, 1977. From the palace, Jerusalem could easily be seen on a clear day.

In appreciation of Queen Alia’s love for this beautiful area, she was laid to rest close by the Palace and a mosque was built nearby.

During the 1980’s and until 1997, al-Hashmiya was used as a guest palace for visiting heads of state and dignitaries, when Their Majesties King Hussein and Queen Noor asked for the building to become a new home for some 200 orphans who were living in harsh conditions in Amman. The Palace took the name of Dar al-Bir.

Raia · #10 07-16-2003, 06:19 PM

information from kinghussein.gov.jo

Zahran Palace:

The word Zahran originates from the Arabic which means a blooming flower. Zahran Palace was built during the 1950’s. It was the home of Her Majesty the late Queen Zein al-Sharaf, the mother of His Majesty the late King Hussein.

Zahran is located close to the Third Circle on Jabal Amman, and overlooks a beautiful boulevard where other older buildings are still used as embassies.

Julia · #11 07-16-2003, 06:35 PM

Thank you so much for the information and photos, Raia. The palaces are truly splendid...gorgeous architecture.

shannen26 · #12 07-24-2003, 01:00 AM

Al_Hashmiya Palace is just close by Queen Alia's grave, she loved this House, where she lived for 3 years and a month. Bab- As Salaam is the home of Princes Hamzah and Hashim, the only Noor's kids to live in Jordan, at the moment. Nadwa Palace is the place where all 4 kids by Queen Noor lived til 1997.

Josefine · #13 04-19-2004, 02:33 PM

where does ali live

where does the king and queen live and do they have houses in other countries?

maryshawn · #14 05-06-2004, 01:47 AM

OK, I read Queen Noor sold their London estate near Windsor for 40 million pounds. As this piece of property had been part of the Queen's estate and either had been gifted or loaned, can she do this? I would think the Queen would not care for it.

Has anyone else heard about this?

Mary Shawn

kelly9480 · #15 05-06-2004, 02:38 AM

You can sell the house that sits on the land without selling the land itself. If the land is part of the Crown Estates, then that's probably what happened here.

oliver · #16 05-07-2004, 12:45 AM

A recent Hello magazine article shows her in her home in Knightsbridge. Why does she have a home base in England???? Are any of her children still attending Sandhurst????

wymanda · #17 05-07-2004, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by oliver@May 7th, 2004 - 11:45 am
A recent Hello magazine article shows her in her home in Knightsbridge. Why does she have a home base in England???? Are any of her children still attending Sandhurst????

I understand that King Hussein has had the home in question for many years, certainly before he married Noor. I suppose it made a central base for European visits and was utilised more when the children were at school. Perhaps this is why it is being sold now since it is not being used as much.

tipper · #18 07-13-2004, 03:21 PM

JRF has got one house in London, very close to Kensington Palace, where Lady Di used to live, I could see, when in London, that one must first pass through a gate , then a private row and then straight to the white House, it's really huge and splendid. !!!!

shelley · #19 07-13-2004, 06:04 PM

That house was sold by King Hussein a few years before he died , I think to the Sultan of Oman. The King gave the proceeds from the sale to pay for the restoration of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.

papillon · #20 07-17-2004, 07:43 PM

What about the home KH and QN had outside Vienna in Austria? Was it sold?