Al-Raqqa: Caliph Harun al-Rashid’s Capital in Syria
‘These palaces accommodated his household and those of a number of officials who came to reside with him.’
Caliph Harun al-Rashid, grandson of al-Mansur, moved his court to al-Raqqa between 180 and 192 / 796 and 809, during a period of political unrest in Baghdad and southern Iraq. Al-Rashid extended the fortifications and created a whole new suburb of palaces to the north of al-Raqqa. These palaces accommodated his household and those of a number of officials who came to reside with him. The link with Baghdad and the eastern lands was maintained using a sophisticated mail system. Al-Rashid’s sons and future caliphs all spent much of their youth at al-Raqqa.

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Palace B

Hegira 180–92 / AD 796–808
Abbasid
Raqqa, Syria
Clay, both compact masses and sun-dried bricks, was the main material for the construction of all the palaces at al-Raqqa. The interior and exterior walls that were in public view were coated with white plaster.