The Desert Castles (Qasr Amra, Qasr Al Kharraneh, and Qasr Al Azraq):

The castles were built between the 7th and the 8th century under the Caliphs of the Umayyad who made Damascus their new capital in 661.

The majority of the castles lie on the ancient trade route towards Medina and Kufa. Jordan’s desert castles are beautiful examples of both early Islamic art and architecture. Their fine mosaic and frescoes, stone and stucco carvings inspired by the best Persian and Greco architecture – Roman traditions.

Called castles because of their imposing statue, the desert complexes actually served various purposes such as caravan stations, agriculture and trade centers, resort pavilions, and outposts that helped distant rulers forge ties with local Bedouins.