History & Heritage
29.11.2022
Top 5 most beautiful castles to visit in Jordan
Who says Jordan says Petra. But this would be forgetting the numerous historical castles located in the country. Fortresses dating back to the Middle Ages, most of them built by the Crusaders, whose ruins bear witness to an eventful past. Here are our top 5 most beautiful castles to visit, in the region that was once called Transjordan.
1 – Kerak Castle
Built in 1142 by the Crusaders, Kerak Castle combines underground galleries, deep moats, and vaulted passages. All with a European, Byzantine and Arab-influenced architecture. An impressive and rather well-preserved fortress, which was once one of the most important military control centers in Transjordan.
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2 – Ajloun Castle
On the heights of a hill, near the ancient city of Jerash, is the castle of Ajloun. A fortress built in 1184 to protect the trade routes between Jordan and Syria. Its particularity? Its position at 1100 meters above sea level offers visitors a breathtaking view of the Jordan Valley and Mount Hermon.
3 – Azraq Fort
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In the central-eastern part of Jordan, the ruins of the military fortress of Azraq stand. The fortress was built in the 3rd century by the Romans and restored much later by the Mamluk dynasty. If at the beginning the role of the fortress was to protect the Azraq river (a strategic resource), it became a military base camp in 1917 during the rebellion of the Arabs against the Turks.
4 – The castle of Macheronte
South of the city of Madaba, on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea, the ruins of the fortress of Macheronte remain. Standing on a rocky mound, the remains are in fact those of a palace that belonged to the kings of Judea. It is an emblematic place because according to the gospel of Matthew, it was here that Saint John the Baptist was held prisoner and put to death.
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5 – Shaubak Castle
If you’re heading to Petra, take the opportunity to stop at Shaubak Castle. Located 25 kilometers from the famous ancient site, the fortress perched on a hill is worth a visit. Built by the Crusaders (again!) in 1115, it was the first to be built in Transjordan. Special mention for the 365 steps rock staircase that leads to an ancient water reserve.