Nov. 21, 2017: Azraq Castle, Jordan

Azraq Castle

As part of Exodus Travels’ Hidden Treasures of Jordan, I traveled to Azraq Castle. The castle was made famous during World War I when T. E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, used it as his military base during the Arab Revolt against the Turks in 1917 and 1918.

The castle is constructed of locally quarried black basalt. We entered through a massive door made of a slab of the stone. The second level directly above the southern entrance includes Lawrence’s room. There is a small mosque in the middle of the courtyard, an old well, a prison, and a variety of storerooms and stables opposite the entrance.

For the better part of an hour we explored the castle learning about the revolt and Lawrence’s roll in it, and taking photos. The castle, dating back to the 13th century, is located about 60 miles from Amman.