Qasr Al-Qastal, located just south of Amman, is one of the most significant Umayyad-era desert complexes in Jordan, showcasing early Islamic art, architecture, and urban planning. Built in the 8th century during the reign of the Umayyad Caliphate, the site includes a palace (qasr), a mosque, a water reservoir, and a large cemetery. The palace features intricately carved stucco decorations, geometric designs, and traces of frescoes, highlighting the fusion of Byzantine, Persian, and early Islamic artistic influences. Its layout reflects the Umayyads’ sophisticated approach to architecture, combining both functional and ceremonial spaces within a single complex.

The nearby mosque is among the earliest surviving examples of Islamic religious architecture in Jordan, identifiable by its distinctive mihrab and square prayer hall. Surrounding Qasr Al-Qastal are remnants of an ancient settlement, agricultural installations, and a notable cemetery with finely carved tombstones. These elements reveal the area’s role not just as a desert retreat or caravan stop, but as a vibrant, inhabited centre of Umayyad life. Though in ruins today, Qasr Al-Qastal remains a vital piece of Jordan’s early Islamic heritage and a testament to the architectural and administrative ingenuity of the Umayyads.