Alex
Qasr Uweinid is a compact Roman fortification built from local basalt, strategically positioned on a low spur overlooking the eastern desert of Jordan. Dating to the late 2nd or early 3rd century AD, the fort was constructed to protect access routes through the Wadi Sirhan and maintain Roman control in the region. The structure features a roughly rectangular layout with a modest courtyard and defensive walls on all sides. A small entrance is located on the western wall, and the southwest corner includes a tower that likely served both surveillance and defensive functions.
Although now partially ruined, the foundational layout of Qasr Uweinid is still clearly visible. The basalt stones used in its construction give the fort a dark, rugged appearance, blending into the surrounding volcanic terrain. Remnants of internal divisions suggest the presence of barracks or storage rooms built along the interior perimeter. An inscribed lintel discovered at the site names Roman Emperor Septimius Severus and a local governor, affirming the site’s historical and administrative importance during Roman rule. Today, the sparse but evocative remains offer visitors a window into the Roman military infrastructure in Jordan’s eastern frontier.
