Quseir Amra is an 8th-century Umayyad desert castle in Al-Azraq, in Jordan's Zarqa Governorate. It is also known as Qusayr Amra, the Desert Castle, or Qasr Amra. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is counted among the best-preserved examples of early Islamic art and architecture.
What you will see
The castle is best known for its frescoes, which are considered exceptional, and for its bathhouse. Both give a clear sense of how the building was decorated and used. The interior paintings reward slow looking, and the rooms are small enough that a visit does not need to be rushed.
Planning your visit
- Location: Al-Azraq, Zarqa Governorate, Jordan.
- Kind of visit: a heritage site in the desert, suited to those interested in early Islamic art and architecture.
- Contact: +962 6 560 7681.
Because the castle sits in the desert, it pairs naturally with a wider trip to the Azraq area, where the landscape is very different from Jordan's cities. Check with the contact number before you travel to confirm current arrangements.