Jordan's deserts are dotted with a number of ancient, mysterious desert castles built and restored in the seventh and eighth centuries by the Umayyad caliphs.

Qasr Amra, Hallabat, Kharaneh, Mushatta and Azraq present fine, admirable examples of Umayyad art and architecture that include baths,water and agricultural systems, mosaic floors and painted wall frescoes.

Most of these castles served as fortresses as well as hunting lodges and leisure resorts by the caliphs. Azraq Castle, situated near the desert oasis of Azraq -an important stopping, resting and watering place for thousands of species of migrating birds that journey every year between Africa, the Middle East and northern Europe- served as Lawrence of Arabia's headquarters during the Arab Revolt in 1917.