Qasr Kharana, also known as Qasr al-Kharanah, is one of the most iconic Umayyad desert castles in Jordan, located about 60 kilometres east of Amman. Built in the early 8th century CE, the structure stands out for its nearly perfect square layout, with high, solid walls and small slits that give it the appearance of a fortress. However, scholars widely agree that Qasr Kharana was not a military stronghold, but rather a meeting lodge or resting place for travelling dignitaries, traders, or tribal leaders. The building contains over 60 rooms arranged on two levels around a central courtyard, many of which are decorated with early Islamic and Sassanian-style architectural elements.

Despite its austere desert setting, Qasr Kharana exhibits remarkable sophistication in both design and function. The upper floors contain rooms with vaulted ceilings, decorative niches, and some of the earliest examples of Islamic art in stone and stucco. The site is particularly significant as it represents a transitional period in Islamic architecture, combining Byzantine, Persian, and local traditions into a uniquely Umayyad form. Today, Qasr Kharana stands as a well-preserved symbol of early Islamic culture and the Umayyad dynasty’s influence across the Arabian frontier.