Qasr Azraq Desert Castle
About 13 kilometers north of the Azraq Junction, on the highway to Iraq, you will find the large black fortress of Qasr Al Azraq.
The present form of the castle dates back to the beginning of the 13th century CE. Crafted from local black basalt rock, the castle exploited Azraq’s important strategic position and water sources. There is also a wetland natural reserve surrounding Azraq.
The first fortress here is thought to have been built by the Romans around 300 CE, during the reign of Diocletian. The structure was also used by the Byzantines and Umayyads. Qasr al Azraq underwent its final major stage of building in 1237 CE, when the Mamluks redesigned and fortified it.
In the 16th century the Ottoman Turks stationed a garrison there, and Lawrence of Arabia made the fortress his desert headquarters during the winter of 1917, during the Great Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire.
The castle is almost square, with 80-metre long walls encircling a central courtyard. In the middle of the courtyard is a small mosque that may be from Umayyad times, along with the main well.
At each corner of the outer wall, there is an oblong tower.
The primary entrance is a single massive hinged slab of granite, which leads to a vestibule where one can see the remains of a board game carved into the pavement.
Above the entrance area is the chamber that was used by Lawrence during his stay in Qasr Al Azraq.
About 13 kilometers north of the Azraq Junction, on the highway to Iraq, you will find the large black fortress of Qasr Al Azraq.
The present form of the castle dates back to the beginning of the 13th century CE. Crafted from local black basalt rock, the castle exploited Azraq’s important strategic position and water sources. There is also a wetland natural reserve surrounding Azraq.
The first fortress here is thought to have been built by the Romans around 300 CE, during the reign of Diocletian. The structure was also used by the Byzantines and Umayyads. Qasr al Azraq underwent its final major stage of building in 1237 CE, when the Mamluks redesigned and fortified it.
In the 16th century the Ottoman Turks stationed a garrison there, and Lawrence of Arabia made the fortress his desert headquarters during the winter of 1917, during the Great Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire.
The castle is almost square, with 80-metre long walls encircling a central courtyard. In the middle of the courtyard is a small mosque that may be from Umayyad times, along with the main well.
At each corner of the outer wall, there is an oblong tower.
The primary entrance is a single massive hinged slab of granite, which leads to a vestibule where one can see the remains of a board game carved into the pavement.
Above the entrance area is the chamber that was used by Lawrence during his stay in Qasr Al Azraq.
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