عربي Discover the museum
Illustration: Al-Ukhaidir Palace
Single-line illustration from the museum’s identity guide.

Landmark 04 / 10

Al-Ukhaidir Palace

  • Karbala
  • c. 775 CE

Engineering story

Arches and vaults

Why it matters

The summit of defensive engineering in the early Islamic period. A systematic use of pointed arches to carry heavy loads, and internal cooling that depends on wall thickness and the orientation of openings.

In the documentary series18. Abbasid PeriodBaghdad and Samarra, capitals of the world
On the map