Standing in front of the Duke’s Diwan in Amman, Jordan, a majestic building radiating a timeless allure, you can almost feel the city’s history whispering through its worn stones. The Duke’s Diwan is named after Mamdouh Bisharat, who lovingly restored the building and named it in honor of the title the late King Hussein gave him, the Duke of Mukhaibeh, a tribute to his passion for preserving Jordan’s cultural heritage. This architectural treasure, built in 1924, is a true time capsule, having served as Amman’s first post office and then the Finance Ministry before its transformation into a hotel known as the Haifa. In 2001, Mamdouh Bisharat, fearing the destruction of the building, leased it at double the market price, saving it from becoming another casualty of Amman’s modern development.
The Duke’s Diwan is more than just a beautiful building; it’s a treasure trove of history, a living museum where visitors can wander through rooms filled with antique furniture, period-specific chairs, a freestanding stove, and even a vintage radio. Sketches of Amman’s ancient ruins – both Roman and Ottoman – adorn the walls, along with photographs of the building in its previous incarnations. It is a testament to Bisharat’s vision, a place where the past and present intertwine. He sees it as a space for artists, writers, and poets to gather, discuss, and create, carrying on the spirit of the “Diwan,” the Arabic word for a gathering place, a room always open to guests.
The Duke’s Diwan breathes life into Amman’s past, a reminder that history is not a static concept, but a dynamic, ever-evolving narrative.