description Azraq Castle Overview
Azraq Castle is a fortress built largely from black basalt in the oasis town of Azraq, in eastern Jordan. The site has ancient origins and was rebuilt or modified during several periods, including the Roman and Islamic eras. Its heavy stone construction and location near water made it useful for controlling movement across the surrounding desert. During the Arab Revolt, T.
E. Lawrence and Arab forces used the castle as a base, a role later associated with Lawrence's accounts of the campaign.
help Azraq Castle FAQ
Where is Azraq Castle and what is it made of?
Azraq Castle, also called Qasr al-Azraq, stands in the oasis town of Azraq in eastern Jordan, roughly 100 kilometers east of Amman. Its distinctive walls are built largely from locally quarried black basalt. [Jordan Department of Antiquities](https://doa.gov.jo/AR/ListDetails/%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%B9_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AB_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%8A_%D9%81%D9%8A_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%86/2173/15)
Is Azraq Castle Roman or medieval?
The site has earlier Roman construction, but historians differ about the precise first phase. The visible fortress was substantially rebuilt and fortified in the Ayyubid period, with an inscription dated to 1237 CE. [Livius](https://www.livius.org/articles/place/basienis-qasr-el-azraq/)
What is the connection between Azraq Castle and Lawrence of Arabia?
T. E. Lawrence used the castle as a base during the Arab Revolt in the winter of 1917 to 1918. The association is also discussed in Lawrence's book Seven Pillars of Wisdom. [Visit Jordan](https://jp.visitjordan.com/uploads/brochures/vgs-english2022.pdf)
Why was a fortress built at the Azraq oasis?
The oasis supplied a rare permanent water source in a vast desert region, giving the site major military and trade value. The castle's location helped control routes between Syria, Arabia, and the eastern desert. [Jordan Department of Antiquities](https://doa.gov.jo/AR/ListDetails/%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%B9_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AB_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%8A_%D9%81%D9%8A_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%86/2173/15)
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