Jordan desert castles exquisite representations of early Islamic architecture and art, provide witness to an intriguing period in the nation's extensive past.

Many episodes of life in the eighth century are depicted in their exquisite mosaics, frescoes, stone and stucco sculptures, and pictures, which draw inspiration from the finest Persian and Graeco-Roman traditions.

Although their intimidating size led to the buildings being called castles, the desert outposts allowed distant monarchs to establish relationships with the local Bedouins and were also used as caravan stops, centers of agriculture and trade, vacation pavilions, and outposts.

A number of these conserved complexes, grouped to the east and south of Amman, are accessible from the city on one- or two-day excursions.

Jordan desert castles

Greater Syria, Palestine, and the Jordan area came under the Caliph Omar's dominion. Muawiya established the Umayyad dynasty and later relocated the capital to Damascus in the north. As a result, the Islamic Empire's influence moved from the Hijaz to the north. They were absorbed into the first Islamic dynasty, the Umayyad Dynasty.

For a total of ninety years, the Umayyads effectively dominated a sizable empire. The evolution of Islamic art and architecture began with the monuments in Jordan.

These Jordan desert castles are examples of early Islamic art. There was a ton of ornamentation, such as stone and stucco sculptures, mosaics, and frescoes. drawings that combine elements of Greek and Roman art with images of people, animals, and geometric designs. 

These desert constructions, sometimes called castles, have several functions. Some are said to have been constructed as caravan stops, some as resort pavilions, some to promote agriculture, some as places to escape life's problems, and some as homes for traders.

These monuments serve as a reminder of both a brief dynasty whose center was in the area and the early years of the Islamic empire. Among these palaces, Mushatta, Kharranah, qasr amra", and others are the most significant. The following are a few of the top "castles" to see while in Jordan:

Jordan desert castles history

The Jordan desert castles are essentially a collection of Levantine castles. During the Umayyad Caliphate, most of them were constructed by the Umayyads between 660 and 750. The castles once served as a commerce route connecting Medina with Damascus, the caliphate's old capital.

The original use hasn't always been evident up until now. According to academics, the castles served a variety of functions, including hunting, serving as caravan stops, and serving as gathering places for political talks.

The semi-arid east of Jordan is where the Jordanian Desert Castles are mostly found. I've already written before on the Azraq Wetlands, Qasr Kharanah, and Qasr Amra. I went to Qasr Mushatta, Qasr, Dab'ah, and Mukawir thereafter.

 Qasr Al-Hallabat, Azraq Castle, and the tiny Hammam As-Sarah are a few other stunning castles. Since Umm El-Jimal is already on your trip, be sure to pay it a visit. Near Mafraq, there is an old city constructed of black basalt.

The desert castles—where are they?

The majority of the Jordan desert castles were constructed during the Umayyad dynasty (661–750 AD), and they serve as a testament to the origins of Arab architectural culture. They are situated between Saudi Arabia and Iraq to the east of Amman.

Various theories have been proposed on the primary purpose of these original early Islamic monuments: in addition to serving as the Omayyad kings' homes, weekend retreats, caravanserais, or hunting lodges in the eighth century, they were also said to have served as their realm.

Another possible application for them would have been to govern the route from Damascus to Mecca.

The majority of the regions where they were constructed are level, and the castles are composed of a combination of basalt, sandstone, limestone, and lava. 

Al Kharranah is the nearest; a one-hour journey from Amman gets you there. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Amra Castle is the next one, while Al Azraq Castle, the last castle in the northeast, is 20 minutes away from the previous one in the village of Azraq.

There are several more castles across the nation, and practically all of them offer intriguing architectural features and a sense of mystery.

Al-Khurana Qasr

Qasr Al-Khurana is one of the most well-known Jordan desert castles. It's easily recognized by its massive, solid brick front and is situated outside of Amman, right off the highway. This fortress in the desert was never utilized for military operations; instead, it was a wayside inn.

 Built before the start of the eighth century, Qasr Al-Khurana is among the oldest examples of Islamic architecture in the area. Encircled by 60 rooms spread across two levels, the center courtyard, a sturdy square building, has a rainwater pool.

Ajloun Castle

Ajloun is regarded as one of Jordan's most remarkable castles, although not belong to the same age as other Umayyad-era structures. Perched on top of Mount Auf, Ajloun was built during Saladin's reign in the twelfth century. 

Situated around 50 kilometers away from Amman and offering breathtaking views of the Jordan Valley, Ajloun Castle makes for a perfect day trip location.

This stronghold, which is a true piece of Crusader history, protected Saladin's army from potential attackers by allowing them to keep an eye out for them as they passed through the nearby desert and valley.

A few ancient components of the stormy castle history now stand, surrounded by a boat. However, the interior made of stone is undoubtedly evocative, and the on-site museum offers a wealth of information about this period in Jordan's history.

Jordan desert castles Qasr Burqu

The Romans built the palace with steam irrigation lines that reached every chamber and facility in order to keep control of a freshwater source. The governorate of Mafraq has the desert fortress Qasr Burqu, which is only waiting to be found.

Qasr Amra"

Qasr Amra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been remarkably conserved. It was a stronghold and a royal palace of the Umayyad dynasty, dating to the 8th century. There are amazing ceiling murals, a Hamman, lavishly designed frescoes, and a reception hall within.

Qasr Amra, unquestionably one of the most magnificent desert castles, is a must-see. Qasr Amra served as the caliphs' "pleasure palace" during the Umayyad era, providing a peaceful haven for them to relax in after work. 

The zodiac figures painted in an amazing depiction of heaven are unquestionably Qasr Amra's most famous feature. The castle is now protected by UNESCO since it is regarded as the earliest example of its sort.

Hammam as-Sarah

The Eastern Hallabat Palace, or Qasr Hammam al-Sarah, is situated in Zarqa, a city north of Amman, the capital of Jordan. Built in the early eighth century AD by the Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik, the castle is an example of an Umayyad bathhouse.

Jordan desert castles: Castle Shobak

Shobak is one of the biggest Jordan desert castles. It was constructed by King Baldwin I of the Crusades and is distinctive since it was formerly a Crusader fortress. Similar to Ajloun Castle, Shobak Castle is 12th-century in age. 

Explore below the surface to find plenty to see, including underground corridors and a subterranean spring! Originally constructed by Christian crusaders, the fortress was taken over by Saladin's forces during an 18-month siege. Mamluks constructed over most of the old features in the fourteenth century.

Still, exploring this fortress in the desert offers an opportunity to learn about the tumultuous history of the Crusades!

Qasr al-Hallabat

One of the most significant and illustrious archaeological sites in the Middle East, it was first constructed as a modest Roman fortification to guard the Nova Trajana highway. When it was occupied in 106 AD, the Arabian Peninsula, or Limas Arabicus, included it. The fortress was expanded and fortified with four towers in the fourth century, maybe under Diocletian's rule.

Jordan desert castles Qasr Kharana

Because of its location in the Al-Harrana Valley, the square stronghold known as Al-Harrana Castle was rebuilt under Al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik's rule. The continuous invasions by empires have led to several restorations of the fortress.

Situated on the international road leading to Azraq, guests are welcome to venture within the fortified walls and experience a medieval experience. 

Umayyad desert castles

You won't have to travel far to visit this next "desert castle" if you're traveling to Amman on your trip to Jordan. This massive palace structure, which dates to the Umayyad era, is situated atop Citadel Hill. The palace, a striking example of pre-Islamic architecture, has been meticulously restored to let guests enjoy the opulence of bygone eras. 

When you visit, be sure to search for intriguing stonework, such as geometric designs and ornate decorations, as it was formerly the governor's mansion. In addition, the location provides breathtaking views over the capital of Jordan.

Qasr Mshatta – the Winter Palace

One of the Umayyads' desert fortresses is Al-Mshatta Palace. This palace, which is about 32 km southeast of Amman, was constructed in 744 AD by the Umayyad Caliph al-Walid bin Yazid. It is encircled by a square wall that is 144 meters long and made up of 25 round towers.

Jordan desert castles Qasr Tuba

Situated on a commerce route connecting Balqa with the Arabian Peninsula, Qasr Tuba is one of the few Umayyad palaces that has retained most of its structure despite being subjected to erosion and damage. According to historians, the fortress dates to Walid ibn Yazid's rule.

What to Expect When Exploring Jordan's Deserts

After we learned a lot about Jordan desert castles, now we must discover more about Jordan's Deserts. Jordan is surrounded by no less than four other Arabic-speaking nations. It is situated in the Middle East, between the Levantine and Arabian regions.

Syria is located to the north, Iraq is located along its northeastern panhandle, Saudi Arabia is located to the east and southeast, Jordan's lone seaport, the Gulf of Aqaba, is located to the south, and Palestine is located to the west. The majority of Jordan's deserts are found in the east and south.

The kingdom is the 110th biggest nation in the world, with a land area of 96,188 sq km. It does, however, appear larger than it is due to the varied topography and surroundings.

The weather in Jordan may also vary greatly. There are three primary geographic and climatic zones that comprise its landscape and climate. The eastern desert, also known as the Badia area, the Jordan Valley, and the Mountain Heights Plateau would come first.

The warm, dry summers and chilly, rainy winters typical of the Mediterranean region are experienced in western Jordan. However, the majority of the nation has a desert environment with little more than 200mm of annual precipitation. These include areas like Wadi Araba, the Central Desert, the Badia Desert, and Wadi Rum in the east.

Wadi Araba

The 166-kilometer Jordan Valley winds through the arid and scorching Wadi Araba to the south of the Dead Sea. 

This stunning desert in Jordan is well-known for its utterly desolate mountain slopes. They can descend to 300 meters below sea level close to the notorious salty sea, climb to 355 meters at Jebel Risha, and then descend to sea level once more at Aqaba.

Eastern Badia Desert

The North Arab Desert, a desert region, makes up around 75% of Jordan. The desert extends into areas of Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Iraq, with heights between 600 and 900 meters above sea level.

The Eastern Desert of Badia has significant daily and seasonal variations in climate. Summer temperatures can soar beyond 40°C, while chilly winter evenings can drop as low as 0°C.

Even with fewer than 50 millimeters of annual precipitation, a considerable number of plants and humans are able to thrive in this very arid desert environment. There are countless vegetated wadis to be seen here in the Eastern Desert. The Shomari Wildlife Reserve and the Azraq Oasis are two examples of this.

The Basalt and Rweishid Deserts

Black basalt stones, left over from centuries-old volcanic activity, dot the landscape of the Basalt Desert.

The Rweished Desert lies just east of the Basalt and stretches all the way to the Iraqi border. It is a limestone plateau that varies in elevation, interspersed with some cultivated grasslands.