When visitors of the palace arrived at Hisham’s Palace, they had to wait for the caliph until he had time to receive them. Because a lot of people needed to wait here and the caliph wanted to impress his guests, the entrance hall was finely decorated with murals. A lot of decorations are still visible at this spot. Some decorations also reflect the way of life they used to have in the Umayyad period.
1. Here is a modified picture of the entrance hall (in the right column) and four photos of decorations you can find at the entrance hall. Draw a line from the decorations to the correct spot on the picture of the entrance hall, where the particular decoration is situated.
When archaeologists excavated the entrance hall in the 1930s, the hall looked a bit different to what it looks like today. But some features also remain the same.
2. Compare this picture with the present situation and describe the similarities and the differences between the entrance hall in the 1930s and today.
Similarities:
Differences:
3. Imagine: you are a decorator of the caliph in the 8th century. Design your own decoration and draw how you would decorate the entrance hall. It would be great if the decorations were in the Umayyad style.
4. The staff of the archaeological park of Hisham’s Palace looks after the monuments very carefully. Have a good look at the entrance hall you are standing in. Describe the way the archaeological park preserves the entrance hall for the future.
