Az-Zarqa: Riverbanks and History

Az-Zarqa reveals a green accent along the Zarqa River: you can stroll along the banks and enjoy the green spaces. In the heart of Zarqa, Qasr Shebib tells the story of a Roman fortress and its later role in protecting pilgrims. The city, riverbanks and architectural history offer different focal points for your trip.

Riverbanks and Qasr Shebib

Built in the 3rd century AD as a Roman fortress, the complex later served the Islamic state in protecting pilgrim caravans from Syria. The caravans give its later function a concrete historical context; its Roman foundation marks an earlier phase in its architectural history.

Qasr Shebib overlooks Wadi Zarqa and Wadi al-Hajar. The relationship between the two names is clear: Wadi al-Hajar is a tributary of Wadi Zarqa. The fortress thus brings together architectural history and a specific geographical relationship, without making the two wadis seem like interchangeable names.

A bathhouse in the wider Zarqa destination

The wider Zarqa destination is also home to Qasr Hammam al-Sarah, also known as Eastern Hallabat Palace. Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik had this Umayyad bathhouse built in the early 8th century AD. In comparison with Qasr Shebib, a different historical context emerges: a bathhouse from the Umayyad period rather than a Roman fortress that later served a protective function. The two buildings therefore represent different purposes and periods of construction.

Nature and wall art in Zarqa Governorate

Beyond the city of Az-Zarqa, the broader Zarqa destination offers further nature and culture experiences. The Dahek Nature Reserve is considered one of the best places in Jordan to observe the stars and the moon. Low light pollution and a clear night sky play a role in this. The reserve is also a destination for people who want to see geological formations, including white chalk slopes. The night sky and chalk slopes offer different highlights: one is about observing the sky, the other about geological formations.

Quseir Amra is also located in the eastern desert of Zarqa Governorate. Its reception hall and hammam are richly decorated with figural murals that reflect the secular art of their time. The frescoes show influences from classical pagan themes and Byzantine portrait art, as well as hunting scenes, animals and birds. Greek and Arabic inscriptions accompany the images. Quseir Amra thus offers a distinct cultural perspective: as well as the subjects, visitors can identify artistic influences and the two written languages.

Choosing your travel focus when looking for accommodation

If you are looking for a vacation rental, start by considering the scope of your trip: will Az-Zarqa itself be the main focus, or would you also like to include destinations in the broader Zarqa area? With a city-focused trip, the local highlights are the riverbanks and Qasr Shebib; a broader regional focus also includes Dahek and Quseir Amra. This comparison can help you tailor your search to the interests you want to shape your trip.

Discover more destinations: Azraq Ed Duruz.

See the overview of the wider destination: Zarqa.