Overview:

is a large desert castle located in Eastern Jordan, approximately 80 kilometers from Amman, the capital city of Jordan. It is arguably the most famous of Jordan's desert castles, and is noted for its beautiful frescoes and Islamic architecture. It was built during the early 8th century, during the Umayyad period, by Walid Bin Yazid, who was a member of the Umayyad court. The building is a two-storey construction, and is made of reddish limestone blocks and mud mortar. The walls and interior feature frescoes that depict everyday life and legends, as well as geometric and floral patterns that demonstrate the influence of the Byzantine, Sassanid, and Islamic art styles. The majority of the frescoes in the complex date from the 8th century, with some dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries. The castle is a popular tourist attraction in Jordan, and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Jordan
Prominent Features:

Qasr Amra is a major cultural landmark in Jordan and is well-known for its well-preserved frescoes and architecture. It is an Umayyad desert castle located in the eastern Jordan Valley, north of al-Azraq Oasis. The castle is noted as one of the earliest and most important examples of Islamic art and architecture. It is an exceptional example of early Islamic culture, combining elements of the desert palaces, Islamic votive architecture, and early Islamic cultic symbolism. The frescoes of Qasr Amra depict a complex blend of Islamic and pre-Islamic traditions and include classical mythological motifs and scenes from everyday life. The castle is also renowned for its sumptuous bath complex and sculptured stucco ornaments. It served as a caravanserai, with time served as a religious site, a hunting lodge and a residence for a short time. Qasr Amra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important monuments in the Eastern Desert region of Jordan. This national monument of Jordan portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Qasr Amra is a desert castle located in the desert steppe in eastern Jordan. It is an Umayyad castle that was built in the 8th century by an Umayyad caliph, probably Walid I. Qasr Amra was likely constructed as a summer palace for the caliph, who did not have a permanent residence in the desert near where the castle was made. The castle may have been used for a variety of purposes, such as a safe refuge during military campaigns, a hunting lodge, or an administrative center. The castle was built with a large outside wall, which was likely to keep outsiders away, as well as a large central building surrounded by vaulted rooms, a large bathhouse, and a rectangular courtyard. The rooms and the central building were decorated with polychrome frescoes and mosaics depicting various scenes such as hunting horses, musical performers, dancers, and even wild animals. Qasr Amra is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and has been since 1985. It is important historically for the insight it gives into the lifestyle and culture of the Umayyad dynasty. Its frescoes and mosaics give a vivid account of the splendor of the Umayyad period. It continues to be a popular tourist destination, and visitors come from around the world to explore its history and art. You must visit one of these historical places in Jordan on your Jordan tour

Interesting facts:

1. Built in the early 8th century by the Umayyad Caliph Walid Ibn Yazid, Qasr Amra is arguably the most recognizable and best-preserved of all the desert castles in Jordan. 2. It is famous for its stunning frescoes, which are some of the oldest surviving examples of Arab painting in the world. 3. The name derives from the Arabic words for “emerald” and “castle”. 4. Its UNESCO designation in 1985 as one of the “Cultural Sites of Outstanding Universal Value” ensures its preservation for future generations. 5. It is believed to have been used as both an occasional residence and a meeting place for political and military concerns. 6. While it was principally a recreational palace, there is evidence of Umayyad military campaigns, such as images of weaponry painted on the walls. 7. To honor the great warrior and poet Antarah Ibn Shaddad, a portrait of him is also featured in the courtyard mural. 8. Its plan is unusual as it reveals an adventurous variation of engineering, in its odd combination of eastern traditions and western styles. Visit one of the famous monuments of Jordan with your friends and family.