Karak Castle

Located within the walls of the old city, the ancient Crusader Castle of Karak is a popular tourist attraction in Jordan. The Karak castle was built by the Crusaders in the mid-12th century AD and is an excellent example of Crusader architecture, featuring a fortified tower structure. The castle played a crucial role in battles between the Crusaders and Islamic armies of Saladin, withstanding several sieges before falling into Saladin’s hands in 1187. Under the rule of Mamluk sultan Baibars from 1264 on, the castle was significantly renovated with stronger fortifications and additions such as the fortress keep at the north.

Karak Castle is a large wedge-shaped building of some 220m in length and 125m in width at the north end. Visitors can enter the castle via the Ottoman Gate, and the castle is built on two main defensive levels, separated by an inner wall. The upper court contains the main buildings, such as the Crusader church, the Mamluk keep, palace, and mosque, while the lower bailey seems to have been primarily used for storage and defense.

Today, Karak Castle is much more mundane and serves as a tourist site for people traveling along the ancient King’s Highway. The Karak Archaeological Museum, which was opened in 2004 after renovation work, is located in the lower court of the castle and introduces local history and archaeology of the region from prehistory until the Islamic era.

The castle was historically used to protect the assets of crusader states in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem. Still, during antiquity, it was a prominent Arab Nabataean place, and the main settlement with several Nabataean reliefs and sculptures surviving since that period. The city became a regional center in Roman Arabia under the name Characmoba and a diocesan town during the Byzantine period.

Karak Castle was able to control Bedouin herders as well as the trade routes from Damascus to Egypt and Mecca due to its strategic location east of the Dead Sea. The castle was the center of power for Lord Pagan of Oultrejordain, replacing the weaker castle of Montreal to the south. Raynald of Chatillon gained possession of Karak Castle in 1176 and harassed the trade camel trains, even attempting an attack on Mecca itself. Saladin besieged the castle in 1183 in response to Raynald’s attacks, but it was eventually relieved by Baldwin IV of Jerusalem.

In 1184, Saladin attempted a second siege, and although the Muslim army cut off supplies to the castle, they left before a reinforcing crusader army could come to the castle’s aid. The last siege of the 12th century was led by Saladin’s nephew in 1188, resulting in the fall of Karak and the surrender of the Castle of Montreal.

During the Ottoman Empire, Karak Castle played an important role due to its strategic location at the crossroads between the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, and Greater Syria. In 1893, the Ottoman authorities appointed a governor resident in Karak Castle with a garrison of 1400, including 200 cavalries.

The Castle Plaza

The Castle Plaza, located outside of Karak Castle, offers visitors the chance to explore beautifully redesigned 19th century Ottoman administrative buildings that now house a tourist center. This plaza serves as a central hub for various facilities including restaurants and a crafts center, all situated around a central gathering area.