 As if the wonders of nature are not enough,
Jordan's deserts are dotted with ancient castles, farming estates, forts, hunting
lodges and caravanseri. Widely varied in function, architectural style and creative
embellishment, most were the domain of Omayyad princes in the first half of the 8th
Century.
Qusair Amra 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. The black basalt fort at Azaq, in continuos use since Roman times, was
the headquarters of Lawrence of Arabia during the Arab Revolt. Also well worth
your while are Qasr el-Hallabat, Qasr Kharanah and Qasr Mushatta. Plan to see
them all in a one or two-day loop from Amman. |
Desert Castles & Crusader Forts
