This palace bears witness to the role of the Hashemites in achieving the ambitions of the Great Arab Revolt. Prince Abdullah bin Al Hussein set up headquarters at one of the buildings of the Hijaz Railway Station in Maan built in 1904 AD (1322 Hijri), when he came to the city on 21 November 1920. The building was called the National Defence Headquarters.

Prince Abdullah took his political decisions at this palace, and from it, the journey to establish the Jordanian state started, culminating with his arrival in Amman on 2 March 1921.

In March 2024, His Majesty King Abdullah II visited the Founding King’s Residence and was briefed on the project to restore it as a museum and a historical landmark related to the establishment of the Jordanian state.

The first Hashemite home in Amman, Raghadan Palace’s construction took three years (1924-1927). The Palace—where politics, economy and literature intertwined—was a command centre, a home for the people, and a house for the nation.

Raghadan Palace brings together the Islamic architectural styles of the Umayyads, Mamluks, and Ottomans. Andalusian influence is also evident in its architecture. The palace includes the Throne Room, where His Majesty King Abdullah II listens to Parliament’s responses to the Speech from the Throne.

Prince Abdullah bin Al Hussein chose the name Raghadan for the first palace he built as a good omen to seek ‘raghad’ (a decent life) and to bring hope and optimism.

Built in 1950, Basman Palace is located east of Raghadan. It was built to be a headquarters for the RHC, housing the offices of the King, princes and princesses and the RHC chief.

King Abdullah I named the palace Basman as a derivation of the Arabic word ‘basma’ (smile) and to rhyme with Raghadan.

Its design combines Islamic architectural arts with authentic Arabic heritage and modern building requirements. The rear of the palace (overlooking Marka airport) was bombed during the 1967 Arab Israeli War, but it was later restored to its original form.

Al Husseiniya Palace was built in 2006 west of the capital Amman, and it houses the offices of His Majesty King Abdullah II, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II.

His Majesty conducts most of his daily meetings and official interviews at this palace.

In its design, Al Husseiniya Palace is a combination of Arab Islamic architectural heritage, represented by the arches and the designs on the walls and doors; and the simplicity and elegance of interior design.

The palace was named Al Husseiniya due to its location next to the King Hussein bin Talal Mosque

Constructed in 1957, Zahran Palace was built in an area in west Amman selected to be a diplomatic neighbourhood.

The Palace was the home of Her Majesty the Queen Mother the late Zain Al Sharaf (grandmother of His Majesty King Abdullah II, mother of His Majesty King Hussein and wife of His Majesty King Talal) until her passing on 26 April 1994.

Afterwards, Zahran Palace became a Hashemite headquarters where official family-related functions are held, including the marriage ceremony of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Her Royal Highness Princess Rajwa Al Hussein.

Nadwa Palace is located within the grounds of the RHC to the south of Basman Palace. Its name comes from Dar Al Nadwa, a forum established by the Hashemites’ ancestor, Qusai bin Kilab. The construction of Nadwa Palace was completed in 1964, and it was the residence of His Majesty the late King Hussein.

Located in southern Shouneh in the Jordan Valley, Musallah Palace was a winter residence for King Abdullah I. It was famed as a meeting place for intellectuals, poets, and opinion leaders.

King Abdullah I named it Musallah, ‘a place of prayer,’ because he would often stop there to perform Asr or Maghrib prayers upon his return from performing the noon prayer at Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

The name ‘Mawa’ (shelter) signifies generosity and care. Sharing the same hill as Raghadan, it was built in the 1970s, which makes it one of the most recently built palaces. It was briefly used as a residence, but later provided offices for various Royal Family members.

The Little Palace is located to the north of Raghadan Palace. It was built as the residence of King Abdullah I. At a later stage, King Talal and Queen Zein, may their souls rest in peace, resided in The Little Palace. Their son, King Hussein was born there on 14 November 1935.

Located next to the historical Aqaba Castle, Sharif Hussein bin Ali’s house was built in 1917 by the people of Aqaba in the style of Hijazi homes. He lived in it before he was exiled from there to Cyprus in 1925.

The house was turned into a government building in the 1930s. Later, it was restored and turned into a museum that showcases items related to the Great Arab Revolt.