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Al-Muʿazzam is a halt on the Syrian pilgrimage road, between al-Akhdar and al-Hijr. The site grew at the beginning of the 7th century AH.
It owes its name to the Ayyubid king al-Muʿazzam Sharaf ad-Din ʿIsa, son of al-ʿAdil. He had a large basin built in 611 AH (1214) to water the caravans. The basin was restored twice in the Mamluk era. A stone staircase goes down to the bottom.
The fort was built next to the basin in 1031 AH (1622). It is square, with four round towers at the corners, an inner courtyard and living quarters on two levels linked by a stone staircase.
Near the basin there is a small Hejaz Railway station, on a single level, with a water tank. In March 2022, the fort and the basin were listed in the national register of built heritage.
What is certain and what is not
- Certain: basin of 611 AH, fort of 1031 AH, halt on the Syrian road (Saudipedia, quoting the Encyclopedia of the Kingdom and the SPA).
- Certain: the fort and the basin were listed in the national register in March 2022.
- Uncertain: the name of the Ottoman sultan under whom the fort was built. Saudipedia does not give it.
- To check on site: access, state of the basin (water or not).
- Saudipedia, المعظم (موقع أثري): https://saudipedia.com/المعظم-موقع-أثري
- Saudipedia, Syrian pilgrimage road: https://saudipedia.com/طريق-الحج-الشامي
- Sabq, listing in the national register (7 March 2022): https://sabq.org/article/G6DyEiC