The Travels of Ibn Jubayr by Ibn Jubayr;

Author:Ibn Jubayr;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloomsbury UK
Published: 2019-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

A note on the city of al-Hillah

May God Most High protect it

Al-Hillah is a large and anciently constructed city of oblong shape, nothing of whose walls remain except the earth-wall enclosure that surrounds it. It lies upon the banks of the Euphrates, which laps and stretches along the length of its eastern side. It has splendid markets that comprehend all the urban resources and intrinsic industries. It is solidly built, and very populous; and both within and without the city are successive palm-groves between which stand the dwellings. In it we came upon a great bridge secured over a row of large barges stretching from one bank to the other and having their sides held together by massive iron chains, huge like twisted rafters, that were attached to wooden posts fixed on either bank, revealing great means and power (in those who built it). The Caliph (al-Nasir li din Ilah) ordered the construction of this bridge in his solicitude for the pilgrims and his care for their comfort on the way. They had formerly crossed in boats; and our pilgrims found (on their return) that this bridge which had not been there when they were on their way to Mecca – may God exalt it – had been constructed by the Caliph in their absence. We crossed the bridge at midday on Sunday, and encamped on the banks of the Euphrates a parasang away from the town.

This river is like its name Furat [Prodigality], having the sweetest and lightest97 of water. It is a great river, abundant of water, which ships ascend and descend. The road from al-Hillah to Baghdad is one of the best and most beautiful, running between plains and cultivations, with continuous villages right and left. These plains are traversed by canals from the Euphrates that flow through them and irrigate them, and the tillage on them stretches broad and wide without limit. Upon this road the eyes roam happily and the souls are filled with cheer and well-being, while the security upon it is continuous with our praise to God. Glory to Him.

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