Ajloun Castle
A 12th Century Muslim Castle Built By A General Of Saladin In 1184 85 To Guard Against The Crusaders And The Iron Mines, With A Mamluk Period Restoration And A Small Museum. It Commands Views Across The Jordan Valley, With The Ajloun Forest Reserve Nearby. · Ajloun, Ajloun
Ajloun Castle, Qal'at ar-Rabad, is a hilltop fortress about 75 km north-west of Amman and 25 km from Jerash. It was built in 1184-85 by Izz al-Din Usama, a general of Saladin, to guard against the Crusaders and to control the nearby iron mines. After the Mongol raid it was restored in the Mamluk period, in the 13th century. You cross a bridge over a dry moat and walk through a keep, vaulted halls, tunnels and stairs, with a small museum of finds. From the roof the view runs over the Jordan Valley, the Gilead hills and, on a clear day, toward the Golan Heights. The honest picture is a small castle, smaller than Karak, but beautifully sited. Allow about an hour. The hill is cold, windy and misty in winter, and the stones are uneven. Tickets are cheap, parking is simple and the Jordan Pass covers entry, so it suits a short stop between Jerash and Amman. Bring a jacket, since the hilltop catches the wind and the halls stay cold and damp, and keep a little time for the forest reserve nearby.
Hilltop fortress at about 1,000 m in the Ajloun forest hills, about 75 km north-west of Amman and 25 km from Jerash, Ajloun, Ajloun, Jordan
The castle is open daily, usually from morning until late afternoon, with shorter hours in winter and some variation around holidays. The ticket office closes before the gate. The Jordan Pass covers entry. The site can CLOSE in heavy rain or snow, so check locally.