- Location
Eastern Desert, 20 km east of Amman
- Built
8th Century AD
- Admission Fee
Residents – FREE
Non-residents – FREE
- 4 x 4 Required
NO
- GPS
North 31° 48′ 45″
East 36° 06′ 12″
- Google Rating
Rated 4.4 out of 5
Nature reserveAzraq Wetland ReserveA unique oasis near the town of Azraq and its famous castle, in the heart of Jordan’s arid Eastern Desert — a vital stop for migrating birds.Read the guide →
Nature reserveDana Biosphere ReserveJordan’s largest reserve, stretching from mountain ridges down to the desert floor — with hiking trails and ancient sites along the way.Read the guide →
Nature reserveShaumari Wildlife ReserveSee the Arabian oryx brought back from the brink, take a jeep safari and support one of Jordan’s oldest conservation projects.Read the guide →
Nature reserveWadi Rum Protected AreaA World Heritage Site of sandstone mountains and red dunes — jeep tours, camel treks and stargazing under crystal-clear skies.Read the guide →
Nature reserveAjloun Forest Biosphere ReserveA leading eco-tourism destination in northern Jordan, protecting rare oak and pistachio forests and the wildlife that lives in them.Read the guide →
Nature reserveAzraq Wetland ReserveA unique oasis near the town of Azraq and its famous castle, in the heart of Jordan’s arid Eastern Desert — a vital stop for migrating birds.Read the guide →
Nature reserveDana Biosphere ReserveJordan’s largest reserve, stretching from mountain ridges down to the desert floor — with hiking trails and ancient sites along the way.Read the guide →
Nature reserveShaumari Wildlife ReserveSee the Arabian oryx brought back from the brink, take a jeep safari and support one of Jordan’s oldest conservation projects.Read the guide →
Nature reserveWadi Rum Protected AreaA World Heritage Site of sandstone mountains and red dunes — jeep tours, camel treks and stargazing under crystal-clear skies.Read the guide →
Nature reserveAjloun Forest Biosphere ReserveA leading eco-tourism destination in northern Jordan, protecting rare oak and pistachio forests and the wildlife that lives in them.Read the guide →Residents – FREE
Non-residents – FREE
North 31° 48′ 45″
East 36° 06′ 12″
Qasr al-Muwaqqar is an Umayyad-era complex located east of Amman, Jordan, notable for its advanced water management system. Constructed in 723 AD by order of Caliph Yazid II ibn Abd al-Malik, as indicated by an inscription found on-site, the complex once featured a palace, a large reservoir, and numerous cisterns. Although the palace itself has largely been reduced to ruins, remnants such as intricately carved acanthus leaf capitals and a water gauge column attest to its historical significance.
The water infrastructure at Qasr al-Muwaqqar was particularly sophisticated, comprising at least 18 remaining cisterns and a sizable reservoir that continues to be utilised today. This system was designed to collect and store rainwater, ensuring a reliable water supply in the arid environment and supporting both the inhabitants and passing caravans. The presence of a bathhouse approximately 700 meters southeast of the main complex further underscores the importance placed on water management in the Umayyad period.