Karak, Aug 10 (Petra) – Located 90 kilometers southeast of Amman, near the desert highway, the Qatraneh Castle stands as a historic Mamluk-era fortress built to serve travelers and pilgrims passing through the Syrian Hajj Road.
Qatraneh Castle is one of the most significant and frequently mentioned fortresses along this route in historical records and travelogues. It showcases the beauty of Arab-Islamic architecture, designed specifically to support caravans and wayfarers.
The two-story castle contains numerous rooms and storage areas. To its east lies the castle’s water reservoir, an essential source for pilgrims to replenish their water supply. Travelers and explorers have praised the sophisticated water management system, noted for its artistic engineering.
During the Ottoman period, the castle was restored by order of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent to preserve the safety and security of pilgrims. It underwent further restoration in the 1970s in a joint effort between Jordan’s Department of Antiquities and its Turkish counterpart, including rebuilding the collapsed western wall.
Sate’ Al-Masadeh, director of the Karak Tourism Department, said the castle acts as a gateway to the southern tourism sector, offering comprehensive services to visitors from within Jordan and abroad. Restoration and maintenance efforts have increased tourist interest, with the site seeing active visitation for about a month.
Prime Minister Jafar Hassan inspected the ongoing development project at the archaeological site on Sunday. The project, expected to be completed by early next month, includes interior restoration and construction of a visitor center, rest facilities, and amenities fitting the site’s historic and touristic value. It also involves rehabilitating the adjacent historic reservoir and lighting the castle.
The Cabinet decided on April 16, following a recommendation from the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, to designate Qatraneh Castle as a tourist site, providing services to visitors to enhance the tourism product, highlight the site’s historical and touristic character, and encourage tourism investment to create new job opportunities for the local community.
//Petra// AF
10/08/2025 22:15:14
