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DESERT
CASTLES &RESERVES OF
AZRAQ & SHAUMARI
DESERT
CASTLES
As
if the wonders of nature are not enough,
Jordan's deserts are dotted with ancient
castles, farming estates, forts, hunting
lodges and caravanserai. Widely varied
in function, architectural style and creative
embellishment, most were the domain of
Umayyad caliphs and princes in the first
half of the 8th century.
Qusayr
'Amra is a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. Its interior walls and ceilings
are covered with lively frescoes from
Umayyad times, and surprise the visitor
with figurative images of people and animals.
The black basalt fort at Azraq,
in continuous use since Roman times, was
the headquarters of Lawrence of Arabia
during the Arab Revolt. Also well worth
your while are Qasr al-Hallabat,
Hammam as-Sarh, Qasr
al-Kharrana and Qasr
al-Mushatta. Plan to see them
all in a one or two-day loop from Amman.
RESERVES:
AZRAQ & SHAUMARI
At
the easternmost point of your drive to
the Desert Castles you reach Azraq,
an oasis in the desert. In the Azraq
Wetlands Reserve you can watch
the migrating birds, whereas at the close
by Shaumari Wildlife Reserve,
Arabian Oryx antelopes, ostriches and
onagers (Persian Wild Ass) are being bred
in order to be released into nature.
WHAT
TO SEE
The Desert Castles tour:
You can visit Hammam as-Sarh, Qasr al-Hallabat,
Qasr al-Azraq, Azraq Wetlands & Shaumari
Nature Reserves, Qusayr
'Amra and Qasr al-Kharrana, in this or
the opposite sequence during a drive through
the Eastern Desert. Qasr al-Mushatta is
located near Queen Alia International
Airport south of Amman and is worth a
trip.
WHERE
TO STAY
Azraq Lodge, tel. (05) 3835017
HOW
TO GET THERE
The
Desert Castles can be comfortably seen
on a day-trip or a two-day loop from Amman.
By
car or taxi: For the Desert
Castles take the Airport Road
from Amman and head for Azraq. The Azraq
Wetlands Reserve is in Azraq
al-Janoubi (South Azraq), the Shaumari
Wildlife Reserve, 10 km further
south (follow the road signs).
A
good map is advisable (obtainable from
the Ministry of Tourism,
3rd Circle, tel. (06) 4603360, hours 08:00-15:00
Sun.-Thurs., or the Jordan Tourism
Board, tel. (06) 5678294, hours
08:00-16:00 Sat.-Thurs.
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