Qasr Shabeeb, Desert castle in Zarqa Governorate, Jordan
Qasr Shabeeb is a palace with a square layout located in Zarqa Governorate. The building features a main entrance opening into a vaulted hall, with stone stairs leading up to upper rooms and corridors.
The original structure was built during Roman times around 46 BC and later served as a military outpost along the Ottoman pilgrimage route. Over many centuries, the site remained strategically important for controlling the desert regions.
The Latin inscriptions carved above the main entrance tell stories of past rulers and show how different peoples shaped this place. Walking through the structure, you notice how each group left its mark on the walls and doorways.
The site sits at about 620 meters in elevation in the desert region and is currently undergoing significant restoration work. Since visitor facilities and information are limited, it helps to research the structure before your visit.
The palace blends architectural elements from Roman, Umayyad, and Mamluk periods, showcasing construction methods spanning three different civilizations. This rare combination allows visitors to see how building traditions changed over roughly 1000 years.
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