Qasr Uweinid
A Severan fort on a basalt spur, guarding the way into Azraq
Inscriptionc. AD 200–203
FortAbout 50 × 35 m
Location14 km SW of Azraq
Access4x4 track
Introduction
The earliest dated Roman fort at the Azraq oasis.
Qasr Uweinid stands on the tip of a low basalt spur south-west of Azraq, above a shallow wadi lined with tamarisk. Only low walls survive, but they outline an irregular fort of about 50 × 35 m with rooms around a central courtyard and a small tower at the south-west corner.
A Latin inscription found near the entrance records Roman imperial building activity. It names the emperor Septimius Severus and the governor of Arabia, L. Marius Perpetuus, who held office around AD 200–203. It is the earliest dated evidence of the Roman army at Azraq. A small separate tower stands about 300 m to the west, and stone circles are scattered across the ridge.
Best timeMar–Apr · Oct–Nov
Time needed20 min
TicketFree
From Amman120 km · 2 hr
Combine withQasr Azraq · 30 min
Google rating4.8 · Reviews
Highlights · A frontier outpost
A fort at the edge of the oasis
Low basalt walls, a small tower and wide desert views
Uweinid is a site for people who enjoy reading ruins in the landscape. Walk the outline of the fort, then the ridge around it.
01 / 0401 · Architecture
The fort walls
The fort
Low basalt walls trace the irregular outline of the fort, about 50 × 35 m, with rooms around a courtyard.
Look closely
The corner where the tower stood.
1 of 4
Room by room
What to see
Five stops: the fort, the spur and wadi, the small tower, the stone circles and the desert around. Pick a stop to see what to look for.
1 / 1501 · The outline
Walk the outline of the fort
The fort is irregular, adapted to the shape of the spur, and measures about 50 × 35 m. Rooms stood against the inside of the outer walls around a central courtyard. A small tower projected at the south-west corner, reportedly with a small entrance beside it.
Like every Roman building in the Azraq area, it is built of the local black basalt.
About 50 × 35 mCourtyardCorner towerBasalt
Look for
- The line of the outer wall
- Room walls inside it
- A cistern cut into the rock
Dig deeperAn erased name
The Latin inscription from Uweinid was set up in the names of Septimius Severus and his sons Caracalla and Geta, under the governor L. Marius Perpetuus (c. AD 200–203). Caracalla had Geta murdered in December 211, and Geta’s name was then chiselled off monuments across the empire. Lines on the Uweinid stone are reported to have been erased in this way.
The inscription was recorded in 1978 on a fallen basalt block near the entrance, possibly a former doorway lintel. It may no longer be on site. The inscription gives the earliest date for the Roman army at Azraq. Milestones of the same Severan period have been found near Azraq.
1 / 1302 · Setting
Look at the spur from below
From the wadi below you can see why the Romans chose this spot: the spur drops steeply on two sides, and the fort looks out over the flat desert.
Uweinid was a smaller partner of the big fort at Qasr Azraq, about 14 km to the north-east. With Usaykhim on the other side of the oasis, it watched the approaches to Azraq at the head of the Wadi Sirhan, the old route from Arabia.
Basalt spurWadiTamariskOutpost of Azraq
Look for
- The steep sides of the spur
- The fort walls on the skyline
- Green shrubs in the wadi
1 / 1603 · Nearby
Find the small tower
About 300 m west of the fort stands a small, separate basalt structure with a doorway under a large lintel slab and small chambers inside.
It is not described in the published surveys, so its date and purpose are uncertain. A lookout or a later shelter are both possible.
Separate structureStone lintelDate unknown
Look for
- The lintel over the doorway
- The small chambers
- The view back to the fort
1 / 304 · On the ridge
Spot the stone circles
Groups of stone-built circular enclosures lie near the fort; their date and purpose remain uncertain.
Much older people were here too: excavations in Wadi Uweinid in 1985 found campsites of the Epipalaeolithic, the last part of the Old Stone Age.
Stone ringsDate unknownPrehistoric camps nearby
Look for
- The rings seen from the fort
- Gaps in their walls
1 / 1005 · Around the fort
Take in the desert
Around the spur the desert is a firm gravel plain scattered with basalt, crossed by shallow wadis with stunted shrubs. There are no dunes here: this is stony desert.
The track in is easy to lose, so come with a driver who knows the way.
Gravel plainBasaltShallow wadis
Look for
- Tracks across the plain
- The line of the spur
- The flat horizon
History & significance
An early Roman outpost of Azraq
Uweinid gives the earliest date for the Roman army at Azraq: a building inscription of about AD 200–203, under Septimius Severus. It seems to have had a short military life.
- c. 200–203Building inscription under Septimius Severus
- 211–212Geta murdered; his name erased
- 10th c.Reportedly a stop on the caravan route
- 1981David Kennedy publishes his survey
ProfileQasr Uweinid: the full storyHistory, the Severan inscription, research and the timeline. About 2 min read.Read the profile →Plan your visit
Everything you need to know before you go
Qasr Uweinid is south-west of Azraq, near the Shaumari Wildlife Reserve, reached by an unmarked desert track. You need a 4x4 and a driver who knows the way.
Good to know: the site is unstaffed and unsigned, with no facilities and no shade. Stay on the track: there is a military airbase nearby.
Opening hoursOpen accessUnstaffed site · visit in daylight
Entry ticketFreeNo ticket office
Time to visit20 minLonger if you walk the ridge
From Amman120 kmAbout 2 hours via Highway 40, the last part on a desert track
LocationSouth-west of Azraq31.7848° N, 36.7335° EGet directions
Opening hours and prices checked October 2026. Spotted a change? Let us know
On site
What you’ll find at Qasr Uweinid
- Viewpoint
Not on site: visitor centre, ticket office, toilets, designated parking, museum, guide, food & drinks, market / shop, hotels
Access: 4x4 needed
When to go
Spring and autumn are best. After rain the track can be soft, and in summer there is no shade at all.
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Tip: walk down into the wadi for the best view of the fort on its spur, then climb back up to the walls.
Before you go
Services are limited out in the desert.
- Water and snacksShops and restaurants in Azraq
- Sun hat and sunscreenVery little shade outside
- Comfortable shoesUneven, stony ground
- A 4x4 and a guideThe track is unmarked
- Toilet paperBring your own, just in case
Common questions
Quick answers before you set off.
Do I need a 4x4?
Yes. The fort is reached by an unmarked desert track, and a driver who knows the way is essential.
Is there an entrance fee?
No. The site is unstaffed and free to visit.
How old is the fort?
A Latin inscription found near the entrance dates to about AD 200–203, in the reign of Septimius Severus.
Is there much to see?
The walls are low, but the outline of the fort, the small tower nearby, the stone enclosures and the setting on the spur make it a rewarding stop for keen explorers.
Can I combine it with other sites?
Yes. Qasr Azraq, the Azraq Wetland Reserve and the Shaumari Wildlife Reserve are all close.
What should I wear?
Comfortable, closed shoes for uneven ground, and light clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, which is respectful in rural Jordan and protects you from the sun.
Combine with
Uweinid is on the southern side of the Azraq oasis. Drive times are from Qasr Uweinid and include the track.
Explore this site
More from Qasr Uweinid
Panoramas, walk-throughs, photos and stories about this site.
ProfileQasr Uweinid: history & architecture
Photo albumQasr Uweinid: A Roman Fort near Azraq in Photos
360°360° panoramaQasr Uweinid: 360° PanoramaNearby
Also around Azraq
From guide to visit
See Qasr Uweinid with a private guide
Uweinid isn’t part of our regular tours, but we can add it to a private day around Azraq with a 4x4 and an experienced driver. Tell us when you’d like to go.
