Qasr Kharana, Umayyad desert castle in Eastern Amman, Jordan
Qasr Kharana is a square fortified castle in Jordan's eastern desert with sides measuring about 35 meters and rounded corner towers plus semi-circular towers between them. Inside, 61 rooms spread across two floors, connected by stairs and corridors throughout the structure.
The castle was built around 710 CE during the reign of Al-Walid I, confirmed by Arabic inscriptions above a doorway on the upper floor. It was constructed during an era when such buildings served as residences and administrative centers for the ruling class.
The layout shows how people lived here centuries ago: animals and servants occupied the lower level, while the upper floor was for the family. This separation reveals the social order of that era.
The castle sits roughly 65 kilometers east of Amman along a main highway and is open during daylight hours. Because the location is quite remote, a car or guided tour is essential to reach it.
The main upper hall features plaster walls decorated with geometric patterns and floral motifs that have survived over 1000 years. These delicate ornaments stand in sharp contrast to the fortress's massive exterior.
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