Qatrana Castle, Ottoman fortress along Desert Highway in Qatraneh, Jordan.
Qatrana Castle is a multi-story fortress built from basalt and limestone in the desert south of Amman. The structure features thick protective walls positioned to observe the landscape and shelter travelers moving through the region.
The fortress was built in 1531 under Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent to protect pilgrims traveling between Damascus and Mecca. By the 19th century it had taken on additional roles as a postal station within the regional communication network.
The castle maintained a sophisticated water management system with channels leading to a 70-meter square pool, supplying both drinking water and irrigation needs.
The fortress sits roughly 90 kilometers south of Amman near the Desert Highway and is only accessible by private vehicle. Visitors should prepare for its remote location where no public transportation services the area.
The fortress featured an ingenious water management system with channels leading to a large reservoir that supplied drinking and irrigation water. This system allowed travelers and garrison alike to survive extended desert journeys.
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