Dana Village | Karak

Information

Landmark: Dana Village
City: Karak
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

Dana Village, Karak, Jordan, Asia

Dana Village is a 15th-century stone settlement perched on a precipice at the edge of the Great Rift Valley in the Tafilah Governorate of southern Jordan. It serves as the primary gateway to the Dana Biosphere Reserve, situated at an elevation of approximately 1,200 meters above sea level.

Visual Characteristics

The village is composed of traditional dry-stone masonry houses constructed from local yellow and beige limestone with flat mud and timber roofs. Many structures are built directly into the terraced hillside, overlooking a 1,000-meter drop into Wadi Dana. The surrounding landscape features vertical sandstone cliffs, green agricultural terraces, and Mediterranean-style vegetation including olive trees and ancient junipers.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is located 190 kilometers south of Amman and 55 kilometers north of Petra. Access is via a 4-kilometer winding road that descends from the King’s Highway (Route 35). Public transport is limited to local minibuses from Tafilah, which drop passengers at the highway junction, necessitating a taxi or walk to the village. A small paved parking area is located at the village entrance, adjacent to the visitor center.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The current village was established during the Ottoman period by the Al-Atata tribe, although archaeological evidence indicates settlement since the Byzantine era. It was largely abandoned in the mid-20th century as residents moved to the modern village of Qadisiyah for better services. In the 1990s, the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) initiated a restoration project to preserve the architectural heritage and promote eco-tourism.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can walk through the narrow, unpaved alleys to observe traditional Levantine architecture. The village is the starting point for several major hiking trails, including the Wadi Dana Trail which descends to Feynan. Craft workshops operated by local cooperatives demonstrate silver jewelry making and organic jam production. The village mosque and several restored houses are open for exterior viewing.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The village contains several small hotels, eco-lodges, and a central guesthouse. Public restrooms are located at the RSCN visitor center. There are limited small grocery shops and several cafes serving local cuisine. Shade is provided by the stone buildings and courtyard trees. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is stable within the village but weakens significantly upon descending the trails.

Best Time to Visit

The optimal months are March to May for temperate weather and blooming wildflowers. Spring provides the best clarity for photography of the Rift Valley. Winter (December to February) often brings fog, heavy rain, and occasional snow, which can make the stone paths slippery. Late afternoon is the best time for photography as the sun illuminates the western-facing cliffs.

Facts & Legends

A unique historical feature is the village’s irrigation system, which uses gravity-fed stone channels to distribute water from the mountain springs to the terraced gardens below. A logistical tip for visitors: the village maintains a quiet, eco-conscious atmosphere; motorized vehicle traffic is restricted within the historical core to preserve the stone structures and minimize noise pollution.