Right now you are standing in one of the most important Palestinian cultural heritage sites: Khirbat al-Mafjar or Hisham’s Palace. The complex was built in the 8th century and named after Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik, the caliph of the Umayyads. The Umayyad Caliphate (661–750 CE) was the second of the four major caliphates established after the death of Muhammad. The building complex was used as a winter resort. Because of the mild winters it was a popular place to stay. After the Umayyad period, the palace continued to be inhabited by several other dynasties, but the audience hall and the bath house had already been destroyed by the severe earthquake of 748/749 CE. During this visit to the archaeological park, you will admire the remains of the magnificent Umayyad buildings of Hisham’s Palace.