Iraq al-Amir

Located about 15 km southwest of the town of Wadi as-Seer, it has a population of about 6000 people, mostly members of the Abbadi tribe.

[1] About 500 metres south of the town stands an archaeological site known as Al-Iraq, dominated by a partially restored Hellenistic period palace known as Qasr al-Abd, which is dated to the late 2nd century BCE.

Most scholars agree that Qasr al-Abd was built by the Tobiads, a notable Jewish family of the Second Temple period.

The Seleucid king Ptolemy II Philadelphus built a town in that location, transferring population from Tyre, Phoenicia, so that during Hellenistic rule, Iraq al-Amir was known under the Greek name Tyros.

[dubious – discuss] Pieces of Islamic pottery were also discovered at the site, specifically from the Umayyad and Mamluk times.

One of the striking sights at Iraq al-Amir is the Qasr al-Abd palace (Arabic: قصر العبد, lit.

Several paved pathways were created around the structure and a building now houses a small theatre that plays an animation, narrated in Arabic and subtitled in French.

The animation illustrates what is thought to be the original vision for the dwelling, a summer lodge, surrounded by water, to give the illusion of a boat floating in a sea.

The cooperative involves women and girls from nearby Wadi Al Seer villages and produces hand-made paper, ceramics and clay pottery, as well as hand-woven fabrics.

A view of the town
Ancient cave sites in Iraq al-Amir
Ruins of Qasr al-Abd