The Jaisalmer Fort built in the year 1156 A.D., by Rawal Jaisal, crowns the 80m high Trikuta hill. The fort from its outer walls to palaces, temples and houses is made of soft yellow sandstone. It has 99 bastions around its circumference, some of which still bear canons. One quarter of the town population resides inside the fort.The fort has narrow winding lanes and four huge gateways, the last one leading to main chowk dominated by the old Palace of the Maharwal. This five story faade of balconies and windows displays some of the finest masonry work, while the interior is painted and tiled in typical Rajput style. Attractions within the fort walls are a group of beautifully carved Jain temples built between the 12th and 15th century. Gyan Bhandar, the library containing Jain manuscripts, paintings and astrological charts is also in the temple complex. The city's real showpieces are its Havelis ( beautiful mansions built by wealthy merchants). The prominent among them being the Patwon Ki Haveli , is the most elaborate and magnificent of all. It has exquisitively carved pillars and extensive corridors and chambers. Salim Singh ki Haveli, is 300 years old of Jaisalmer’s Prime Minster to Maharaja Rawal Gaj Singh and named after him. It has a beautiful blue cupola roof with superbly carved brackets in the form of peacocks. Built in yellow stone it is covered with intricate carvings and has an elaborate projecting balcony on the top storey. And Nathmal ki Haveli built in the 19th century was also house to the prime minister. Yellow sandtone elephants guard the building, and even the front door is a work of art.

This haveli was built about 300 years ago and part of it is still occupied. Salim Singh was the prime minister when Jaisalmer was the capital of a princely state, and his mansion has a beautifully arched roof with superb carved brackets in the form of peacocks. The mansion is just below the hill and it is said, once had two additional wooden storeys in an attempt to make it as high as the Maharaja's palace, but the maharaja had the upper storeys torn down.

Patwon-Ki-Haveli: It is one of the largest and most elaborate houses in Jaisalmer. It is five storeys high, extinsively carved. It is divided into six apartments, two owned by the Archaeological Survey of India, Two by families who operate craftshops here, and two private homes.

Nathmalji-Ki-Haveli: This late 19th century it was also a prime minister's house. This was carved by two brothers, one working on the right side and the other on the left. Yellow sandstone elephants guard the building, and even the front door is a work of art.

The impressive mansions built by the wealthy merchants of Jaisalmer are known as havelis, and several of these fine sandstone buildings are still in good condition.

Salim Singh-Ki-Haveli
This was built about 300 years ago and part of it is still occupied. Salim Singh was the prime minister when it was the capital of a princely state, and his mansion has a beautifully arched roof with superb carved brackets in the form of peacocks. The mansion is just below the hill and it is said, once had two additional wooden storeys in an attempt to make it as high as the Maharaja's palace, but the maharaja had the upper storeys torn down.

Patwon-Ki-Haveli
It is one of the largest and most elaborate houses in this city. It is five storeys high, extinsively carved. It is divided into six apartments, two owned by the Archaeological Survey of India, Two by families who operate craftshops here, and two private homes.

Nathmalji-Ki-Haveli
This late 19th century it was also a prime minister's house. This was carved by two brothers, one working on the right side and the other on the left. Yellow sandstone elephants guard the building, and even the front door is a work of art.