Built for Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad in 1311, the open-air reception hall of this palace is a variation of the classic Islamic design of four iwans (chambers) off the main hall; there are barrel-vaulted rooms on two sides. The mosque here, with a clearly visible mihrab (niche) facing Mecca, was probably reserved for palace notables.
Pause near the top of the stairs for good views of Wadi Karak and the alleged site of the condemned cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Return to the main Crusader church.
