TOKYO, February 15, 2016 (WAFA) - National Economy Minister Abeer Odeh and Japanese officials Monday signed an agreement to fund the renovation of Jericho’s famed Hisham Palace.
Odeh signed the agreement with the Japanese Ambassador to the Palestinian Authority (PA) Takeshi Okubo. The signing ceremony was attended by President Mahmoud Abbas, who is making a four-day official visit to Japan, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
During a joint press conference with Abe, Abbas stated that the agreement was signed on Japanese funding support for the renovation of Jericho’s famed Hisham Palace.
Abbas noted that Japan was contributing to strengthening the pillars of Palestinian economy through its important Corridor of Peace and Prosperity initiative, referring to Jericho Agro-Industrial Park (JAIP) that has kick-started.
Abbas expressed gratitude for Japan’s additional support package for the PA, noting that this package would contribute to supporting building Palestinian institutions and developing national economy.
In September 2015, the Japanese government agreed to fund a project that would see a spectacular mosaic floor in the Palace completely uncovered and preserved for display.
The mosaic floor renovation agreement has been signed by Minister of Tourism and Antiques Roula Maaya with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
According to information posted on Palestinian tourism promotion website visitpalestine.ps, the ruins of Hisham’s Palace, built in the 8th century during the Umayyad period, is also known as Khirbet el Mafjar.
It was originally built as a hunting lodge and winter resort, its name is associated with the Umayyad Caliph Hisham Ibn Abd al-Malik.
The site is located 2km north of Jericho. The uncovered excavation shows the remains of the magnificent winter palace that was destroyed by an earthquake in 747 AD, shortly after construction. The site contains royal buildings, a mosque, water fountains, and spectacular mosaic floors.
The complex, attributed to Caliph Hisham, is the most important monument from the Islamic period in the region of Jericho. During the initial restoration, prior to 1967, two roofs were built to protect the fine mosaic floor of the diwan of the thermal bath complex. The mosaic floor of the cellar (Sirdab) was removed and laid on a new concrete bed.
K.F/M.H
