Al-Ukhaidir Fortress, the Oldest Defensive Buildings in Iraq تعد المبانی الدفاعیة عن العمائر التی ساهمت فی الحفاظ على امن المدن العربیة الاسلامیة خلال العصور المنصرمة، فضلا عن حفاظها على الطرق التجاریة والحیویة. وحصن الاخیضر من اقدم المبانی الماثلة فی العراق، ویحتفظ بعناصره الدفاعیة کالابراج والمز

Abstract

Al-Ukhaidir Fortressis one of the existed landmarks in Iraq. It is situated in Karbala governorate, 135km south of Baghdad, 50 Km south of Karbala. It is one of the distinctive defensive forts due to its unique manifestation in Arab Islamic architecture, mainly in the middle east architecture. Dated back to the Abbasid era, many studies focused on this complex, some of which suggest that it was erected during the early Abbasid era (132-656AH), during the reign of Abu Ja'far Abdallah (136-158AH). The most significant manifestation is the thick walls and towers distributed along the walls and the longitudinal openings above the main entrance, which are used to pour hot liquids on the attacker in the event of the attack. The study of the Fortress is of great importance due to its defensive nature in addition to the fact that it represents an integral architectural unit where in many elements are represented. Those are considered as physical evidence on the date of these elements in the Arab Islamic architecture in Iraq, including the pointed arch, the dome, the buttresses, the value in addition to other decorative elements that emerged in many parts of the fortress. All combined constituted key materials to follow up on emergence of the architectural elements during the Abbasid era in Iraq. The fortress maintain all of its parts, including the main hall, houses, mosque and other unites annexed to. This study focuses on many facts and the importance of the fortress . those have positively contributed to adding additional attention to the fortress in addition to its location which constitute great importance from historical and geographical prospective as a center for the passing caravans. Set of pictures and blueprints will be included in this study تعد المباني الدفاعية عن العمائر التي ساهمت في الحفاظ على امن المدن العربية الاسلامية خلال العصور المنصرمة، فضلا عن حفاظها على الطرق التجارية والحيوية. وحصن الاخيضر من اقدم المباني الماثلة في العراق، ويحتفظ بعناصره الدفاعية کالابراج والمزاغل والمداخل المحصنة فضلا عن العناصر العمارية کالعقود والاکتاف والعتبة وعناصر اخرى. ان موقع الحصن في البادية الغربية من العراق اکسبه الصفة الدفاعية ومن خلال الدراسات المستفيضة حول الحصن حدد الباحثون تاريخ بناء الحصن الى النصف الثاني من العصر العباسي