Kleinkastell Khirbet el-Khalde, Roman military fort in Aqaba Governorate, Jordan.
Kleinkastell Khirbet el-Khalde is a Roman military fort in Aqaba Governorate with a footprint of approximately 49 by 32 meters and corner towers that project outward from the main walls. The structure displays multiple building phases and contains archaeological layers with pottery fragments spanning different periods.
The fort was constructed under Emperor Trajan around 106 AD and served as a strategic point along the Via Traiana Nova trade route. It later came under the administration of Palaestina Tertia province when Emperor Diocletian reorganized the frontier defenses.
The fort displays a combination of Roman and Nabataean architectural elements, reflecting the construction methods of both civilizations in the region.
The fort sits about 40 kilometers northeast of Aqaba and is reachable from the city. A guide is helpful for navigating the scattered remains and understanding the layout of the site.
The fort served as a control point on the Via Traiana Nova, featuring an additional smaller outpost that functioned as a possible caravanserai.
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