Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
orned with reconstructed pillars and archways that give an idea of the decorative details
bestowed on Qasr al-Hallabat by the Umayyads. Toilets are available here.
Getting There & Away
Close enough to Amman to be visited on a half-day excursion, Qasr al-Hallabat is located
near the village of Hallabat and is one of the few castles that can be easily reached by
public transport. From Amman's north bus station, take a minibus to the New (Amman)
station in Zarqa, another minibus to the Old station in Zarqa, and another to Hallabat vil-
lage. If you're driving, the castle takes a bit of liberal navigating off Hwy 30 (it is at least
signposted) and makes an excellent first stop on the desert castle circuit. To get from here
to Azraq, your best bet is to return to Zarqa.
Hammam as-Sarah
There might have been considerably more to see at this hammam (bathhouse) and hunting
lodge complex, once linked to Qasr al-Hallabat, if locals hadn't taken a liking to the high-
quality limestone blocks in the 1950s. It's hard to complain, though, as this kind of recyc-
ling has been traditional in the region since well before the Romans. The hammam is still
worth a visit, as the compact site has been extensively restored, and today you can still see
the underfloor piping system that was used to heat the hot, cold and tepid bathing rooms.
Outside the main building is a
well
, nearly 20m deep, an elevated tank and the remains of
a nearby
mosque
.
The hammam is located along the main road to Hallabat village, about 3km east of Qasr
al-Hallabat and 5km from the main road. The minibus to Hallabat village drives past
Hammam as-Sarah and can drop you off on request. The site is unlocked - just push open
the gate. You may well see archaeologists at work, reconstructing the dome. It's a good
hour's drive from here to Azraq, the main destination on the desert castle circuit.
