Collection guide · Roman frontier
Jordan’s Roman Forts
Six forts and watchtowers from Rome’s desert frontier in the province of Arabia, in the basalt desert around Azraq and on the steppe east of Karak.
6Forts
2No 4x4 needed
6Free entry
Qasr Bshir · Photo by Alex Bezrukov
The story
Guarding the edge of the empire
Rome annexed the Nabataean kingdom in AD 106 and made it the province of Arabia. To watch the desert edge of the new province, the army built a chain of forts and watchtowers.
Around the Azraq oasis, the earliest dated fort is Qasr Uweinid, whose building inscription of about AD 200–203 names Septimius Severus. Deir Al-Kahf began as a small fort beside the Roman road at about the same time and was enlarged in 306, and Usaykhim was built on a volcanic hill in the 3rd or early 4th century.
Further south, on the steppe east of Karak, Qasr Bshir was completed between AD 293 and 305, when Diocletian strengthened the eastern frontier; its inscription is still over the gate. The nearby towers of El-Al and Abu El-Kharaq are older, probably founded in the Iron Age and used again by the Nabataeans and early Romans.
The army left Qasr Bshir around AD 500, but some forts found new lives. Deir Al-Kahf became a monastery in the 6th century, and Usaykhim was used again in the 6th–7th centuries.
At a glance
The 6 forts side by side
Time on site, ticket and road conditions, taken from each travel guide. Filter the table and the map shows the same sites.
| Site | What it is | Time | Ticket | From Amman | 4x4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qasr Uweinid | Severan fort, c. 200 | 20 min | Free | 120 km · 2 hr | Needed |
| Qasr Deir Al-Kahf | Fort that became a monastery | 30 min | Free | 125 km · 2 hr 15 min | No |
| Qasr Usaykhim | Small basalt fort on a hill | 30 min | Free | 125 km · 2 hr | No |
| Qasr Bshir | Late Roman fort, 293–305 | 40 min | Free | 100 km · 1 hr 45 min | Needed |
| Qasr El-Al | Hilltop tower above a cliff | 20–30 min | Free | 95 km · 1 hr 45 min | Needed |
| Qasr Abu El-Kharaq | Dry-stone watchtower | 20 min | Free | 100 km · 1 hr 50 min | Needed |
Normal car4x4 needed
How to visit
Two ways to see them
The forts fall into two groups, each a full day from Amman.
Full day from Amman
Around Azraq
The three basalt forts lie around the Azraq oasis, about 2 hours from Amman. Combine them with Qasr Azraq, itself a Roman fort, and the desert castles.
Full day from Amman
East of Karak
Qasr Bshir and the two towers stand close together on the steppe east of the Karak plateau, reached by desert tracks.
Travel guides
All 6 fort guides
4x4
Travel guide
Qasr Uweinid
A Severan fort on a basalt spur, guarding the way into Azraq
Travel guide
Qasr Deir Al-Kahf
A basalt frontier fort that became a monastery
Travel guide
Qasr Usaykhim
A small basalt fort on a volcanic hill, with views over the Black Desert
4x4
Travel guide
Qasr Bshir
Rome’s best-preserved desert fort in Jordan, with its inscription still over the gate
4x4
Travel guide
Qasr El-Al
A hilltop tower above a cliff, used from the Iron Age to Byzantine times
4x4
Travel guide
Qasr Abu El-Kharaq
A dry-stone watchtower on a hill, in sight of Qasr Bshir
Private tours
Let us drive you
Private tours from Amman that include these forts.
Private tour · 7–8 hr
Expedition to JAWA and Umm El-Jimal
$250 (178 JOD)
Fixed price per group (1-3 travellers)
Private tour · 7–8 hr
Black Desert, Azraq Oasis & Desert Castles Full-Day Tour
$170 (120 JOD)
Fixed price per group (1-3 travellers)
Private tour · 8–9 hr
Expedition to Qasr Bshir, Lejjun, Umm Ar-Rasas, Karak
$250 (178 JOD)
Fixed price per group (1-3 travellers)Everything about the Roman forts360° photos, 3D walk-throughs, photo albums, videos and articles: 55 posts
Open the topic pagePlan your visit
Want help planning a frontier trip?
Tell us when you are travelling and which forts you would like to see. We will suggest a route and a price.
