Discover the Stunning Desert Castles of Eastern Jordan
Central Jordan, Jordan
East of Amman the desert stretches seemingly endlessly towards Iraq and is the preserve of the Bedouin and desert animals. This parched landscape hides many surprising attractions - at Azraq there is a wetlands reserve and wildlife sanctuary, the substantial remains of ‘Lawrence’s’ fort and the gems of Qas’r Kharanah and Qas’r Amra, hunting lodge and bath house of an 8th century Caliph.
Background
Heading east from Amman after some 60 or so kilometres a large square building comes into view – Qas’r Kharanah. Historians are divided about its purpose, debating whether it was a khan (a staging post) or a meeting house for local tribes.
Further on lies the Ommayed bath house of Qas’r Amra whose frescoed walls remain fresh after 1,300 years. Whilst an unimpressive town today Azraq to the east it is a focal point for local bedouins and home to Qas’r Azraq a brooding black castle use by Lawrence of Arabia. Here too are the Azraq Wetlands Reserve and Shaumari Wildlife Reserve, where important conservation work is being undertaken.