Qal’at Mudawwara is a small Ottoman-era fort located in southern Jordan near the town of Mudawwara, close to the Saudi border. Built in the late 18th or early 19th century, it was part of a network of forts established by the Ottomans to protect and support pilgrims travelling to Mecca along the Syrian Hajj Route (Darb al-Hajj al-Shami). The fort is a modest stone structure with corner towers, thick defensive walls, and an interior courtyard. It provided shelter, security, and access to water in the harsh desert environment.

Strategically placed at a key stop along the pilgrimage route, Qal’at Mudawwara served both military and logistical purposes, helping ensure the safety and supply of Hajj caravans. Its presence reflects the Ottoman Empire’s broader efforts to maintain order and control over pilgrimage routes, especially under Sultan Abdülhamid II. Although now a ruin, the fort remains an important historical site, offering insight into the infrastructure and priorities of Ottoman rule in the region.