Picture Jordan: Dar As-Saraya

My hometown is called Irbid, located in the northwestern part of the kingdom. “The archaeological research and excavations have shown that human has settled there about 200,000 years ago. Irbid played an important role during the Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic periods. Irbid has 4 of the Decapolis cities: Jadara, Pella, Guelbeh and Capitolias.” [Jordan Archaeological Heritage]

To see some of these civilizations’ history I recently visited Dar Al-Saraya Museum. The building of the museum was originally a castle built by the Ottomans in 1886. Its plan resembles castles and caravansaries founded by the Ottomans. Saraya means government building. This particular building was the governor’s house.

After the Ottomans, Irbid city used the building as a prison until 1994

Dar Al-Saray Museum Entrance

Courtyard

Courtyard

Courtyard

The location of Irbid on a crossroad junction connecting the north with the south and Palestinian coast attracted people from Syria and Palestine, especially merchants… In Irbid there are Armenians and Kurds, as reflected by some Irbidean family names, but also families originated from Palestine who came to the city from early times.