Dotted throughout the semi-arid, steppe-like terrain of eastern Jordan and the central hills are numerous historic ruins including castles, forts, towers, baths, farming estates, caravan inns and fortified palaces which have traditionally been known as desert castles.

The medieval castles at Kerak and Shobak, along the King's Highway, are authentic l2th Century Crusader hilltop fortresses whose galleries, towers, chapels and ramparts recall the gallantry of the Crusaders themselves. The ruins of two other Crusader castles, Habees and Wu'eira, are located at the Nabataean city of Petra.

	.:: Amra Castle		.:: Ajloun Castle
	.:: Al Kharraneh Castle

Ajlun castle, west of Jerash in northern Jordan, is an outstanding example of l2th Century Arab/Islamic military architecture. It was a base for Saladin in his successful campaign to drive the Crusaders from Jordan in 1189.

Desert castles offer the fresco art and zodiac dome of Qasr Amra baths; fortress-like enigmatic Qasr Kharanah; the Roman fort turned Umayyad residential palace at Qasr el Hallabat; sprawling, brick vaulted Qasr Mushatta (so large it was never completed); the black basalt Roman/Medieval Islamic fort at Azraq; and the massive, unfinished, fire-baked brick Qasr Tuba.