Jordan Off The Beaten Path Tips by MalenaN Top 5 Page for this destination

Ajlun

Ajlun is a small town 73 km north of Amman and 25 km west of Jerash (so Ajlun and Jerash can both be visited in the same day).Tourists come here mainly to see the castle.

On a hilltop 2,5 km outside the town, on a hilltop, stands the beautiful castle Qala'at ar-Rabad.
It was built in 1184 - 1185 by Izz al-Din Usama, general and nephew of Salah al-Din. The castle was built to protect the caravans passing the area and to deter the Crusaders.

In 1214 the castle was enlarged. A fifth tower was added and a bridge decorated with pigeons (those can still be seen) built. Invading Mongols destroyed the castle in 1260, but it was soon recaptured by the Mamluks who restored it. It is very nice to walk around the labyrinth of rooms exploring, and then take a rest at the top of one of the towers, with a great view over the valley.

Azraq Wetland Reserve

Azraq Wetland Reserve contains a large mudflat, pools and marshlands just in the middle of the Eastern Desert of Jordan. The wetland has suffered big ecological damage as water levels decreased when more and more drinking water was pumped to Amman. Now the wetlands, or at least a part of the original wetland, is being restored.

This is a place where you can see lots of birds when they are migrating between Africa and Europe. There are also water buffalos. Well, we didn’t see any water buffalos while we were there and not many birds either, but then we were not there in the right season. Visiting a day in July, when water levels are low and the sun hot you can’t expect to see much, but it is a nice feeling walking around and see the blue and green, knowing it is desert around.

We started our visit at the Visitor Centre where you buy the tickets. At the Visitor Centre there is a nature shop with gifts made locally. From the Visitor Centre it is easy to walk around on the wooden trail.

Website: http://www.rscn.org.jo

Qasr Azraq

Qasr Azraq is built in black basalt and was originally constructed by the Romans (about 300 AD). Through the years it was then renovated several times. During the Umayyad period it was used by al-Walid II as a military base and for hunting. In 1917 TE Lawrence and Sherif Hussain bin Ali based themselves at Qasr Azraq for a few months during the Arab revolt against the Turks. Already then it was in ruins, but in an earthquake 1927 it collapsed even more.

As you enter through the main entrance you will have Lawrence’s Room above you. There is a big courtyard where there is a mosque from the Ayyubid Period. Around in the castle are ruins of towers, a prison, a kitchen, a stall etc.

In July 2005 there was no entrance fee to visit the castle.

Qasr Azraq is one of the Desert Castles east of Amman. Azrak is an oasis and town 103 km from Amman.