DESERT CASTLES
As if the wonders of nature are not enough, Jordan's deserts are dotted with ancient castles, farming estates, forts, hunting lodges and caravanserai. Widely varied in function, architectural style and creative embellishment, most were the domain of Umayyad caliphs and princes in the first half of the 8th century.
Qusayr 'Amra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its interior walls and ceilings are covered with lively frescoes from Umayyad times, and surprise the visitor with figurative images of people and animals.
The black basalt fort at Azraq, in continuous use since Roman times, was the headquarters of Lawrence of Arabia during the Arab Revolt.
Also well worth your while are:
Qasr al-Hallabat,
Hammam as-Sarh,
Qasr al-Kharrana and
Qasr al-Mushatta.
Ajloun
Built to control access to the Jordan Valley this fascinating Crusader Castle has in impressive warren of towers, rooms, staircases and galleries to explore. Its setting offers visitors a wonderful view of the Jordan valley and a chance to marvel at the engineering skills and ingenuity of those medieval crusaders.
Karak
This is the largest and most imposing of the Medieval Crusader castles. To get to it, a visitor must pass through Wadi Mujib, a steep, and eerie one-kilometer canyon--one the best mood-steers in Jordan. The castle is imposing and dark, but it too is a testament to the engineering skill and ingenuity of those medieval warriors.
Machaerus
This was the hilltop fortress of King Herod and of his son, Herod Antipas. It was here that Herod Antipas imprisoned John the Baptist and it was here, at the request of of his new wife’s daughter Salome, that he ordered John Beheaded.
Shobak
A lonely reminder of former Crusader glory is Shobak Castle, less than an hour north of Petra. Once called "Mont Real". It is perched on the side of a mountain, with a grand sweep of fruit trees below. The castle's exterior is impressive, with a forbidding gate and encircling triple wall. Inscriptions by his proud successors appear on the castle wall.
