Customize Your Dream Vacation
Get in touch with our local experts for hassle-free trip planning.
Jordanian Desert Castles
Need help in building your itinerary?
Contact us and unlock an unforgettable adventure with the help of our local experts.
Menu
Jordan Attractions
General Information
- Things to Know About Jordan - Top 5 Topics
- Why Visit Jordan?
- 8 Must-Know Facts About Jordan
- Best time to visit Jordan | Jordan Climate and Weather
- Jordan Traditions and Customs - How is Jordan influenced by Europe and America?
- Jordanian Food you have to Try | Jordanian Cuisine
- About Dos and Don'ts in Jordan
- Ramadan in Jordan
- Religion in Jordan
- Shopping in Jordan
- History of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
- Getting Around Jordan
- Water Activities in Aqaba
- Language of Jordan
- Christmas Traditions in Jordan
Madaba Attractions
Kerak Attractions
Petra Attractions
Jerash Attractions
- The City of Jerash
- Hadrian’s Arch of Jerash Jordan
- The Jerash Hippodrome
- Oval Plaza of Jerash Jordan
- The Cardo Colonnaded Street of Jerash Jordan
- The Cathedral of Jerash Jordan
- Nymphaeum Temple of jerash
- North Theater of Jerash Jordan
- South Theater
- Jerash Archaeological Museum in Jordan
- Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts
Join Our Newsletter
Suggested Tours
Desert Castles
Jordan's desert castles, beautiful examples of both early Islamic art and architecture, stand testament to a fascinating era in the country's rich history. Their fine mosaics, frescoes, stone and stucco carvings and illustrations, inspired by the best in Persian and Graeco-Roman traditions, tell countless stories of the life as it was during the 8th century. Called castles because of their imposing stature, the desert complexes actually served various purposes as caravan stations, agriculture and trade centers, resort pavilions and outposts that helped distant rulers forge ties with local Bedouins. Several of these preserved compounds, all of which are clustered to the east and south of Amman, can be visited on one - or two-day loops from the city.
Quseir Amra, one of the best-preserved monuments, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its interior walls and ceilings are covered with lively frescoes, and two of the rooms are paved with colorful mosaics.
Qasr Al-Mushatta, Qasr A-Kharrana, Qasr A-Tuba and Qasr Al-Hallabat have been restored and are all in excellent condition. The black basalt fort at Azraq, in continuous use since Late Roman times, was the headquarters of Lawrence of Arabia during the Arab Revolt.
Crusader Castles
For those fascinated by the Crusader Legends and Lore, the second group of castles beckons. The scenic Kings' Highway is littered with the remains of Crusader forts and outposts. The most important among these are Karak and Showbak - fascinating examples of architectural and military traditions of the time. Their galleries, towers, chapels, and ramparts still echo with the resolve of the Crusaders who built them almost a thousand years ago.