Monuments & Statues, Points of Interest & Landmarks.

The Crusader Gallery functioned as the castle stables. I never got to see the last 4 castles mentioned, but there will definitely be on my list when I go back to Jordan. During the period of Muslim rule, the castle would undergo further significant alteration and restoration as well as often being involved in the mainly-internal conflicts of the following centuries. Lady Stephanie (the wife of Reynald) sent plates of food to the Muslim army beyond the walls. to ensure the information provided here about Kerak Castle is as accurate as Kerak Castle It’s hard to imagine how early-12th-century Crusaders were able to construct the massive hilltop castle at Kerak in such a barren environment. The lovely thing is that they are cool, but they are also quite dark and are not maintained. If you enjoy driving on winding and narrow mountain roads its fine.

details won't impulsive almost 4yo. In a dark tunnel (only visible with a torch) are some Greek inscriptions of unknown meaning. While we work as hard The sieges and ages throughout it stood, heavily damaged it. One of the favourite pastimes of Reynald was said to have been throwing prisoners from the castle walls onto the rocks below. There is also Shoback castle with its secret tunnel :) and also interestingly fell to Saladin a year after Kerak! Construction of the castle began in the 1140s, under Pagan, Fulk of Jerusalem's butler.

Down the hill is the excellent Islamic Museum. The location of Kerak Castle made it a prime target for takeover. This fantastic Crusader stronghold, and later Mamluk fortress, is the reason to visit Karak. The mosque here, with a clearly visible mihrab (niche in mosque indicating direction of Mecca), was probably reserved for palace notables. Saladin again laid siege to the castle in 1187 and finally captured it in 1189. Also from the church, you can take a passage to the left of the steps that leads northwest through the bowels of the castle, roughly underneath the church. Jordan, Castle, Whether you approach Karak from the ancient Kings Highway to the east or from the Dead Sea to the west, the striking silhouette of this fortified town and castle will instantly make you understand why the fates of kings and nations were decided here for millennia.

The castle has a deep moat that isolated it from the rest of the hill on the West. Parts of the castle were reused. In the lower court of the castle is the Karak Archaeological Museum, which was newly opened in 2004 after renovation work.

Indeed, the castle held the dubious honour of being the first target of modern gunpowder artillery to be used in the Middle East. There is a lot to see on the way there including the Dead Sea, Madaba, and Lot's cave. The right (west) corridor leads from the foot of the stairs through the Rosette Gallery, named after the carved rosette at the bottom of the staircase. It was taken by Salahuddin Ayyubi on the second attempt in 1189 CE.

The castle kitchens contain an olive press and ovens, and there is also a partially ruined chapel to be seen. Kerak fell to the Muslims in 1188, and then in later centuries the castle came under Mamluk and Ottoman control, remaining in use until. The ticket office – and guides, charging around JD10 for a tour – can be found near the entrance. Reynald was infamous among contemporaries for acts of barbarism, which included breaking treaties, and looting the caravans of worshippers bound for Mecca. The structure which is visible today took on its current guise during the Crusades in the 12th century. After four days in Aqaba, enjoying the Red Sea, we rented a car and started to drive back to Amman. According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Kerak de Moab Castle: What hotels are near Kerak de Moab Castle? There was already a fortified town of some considerable importance on the site, which served as an administrative centre during the Roman and Byzantine eras, as well as the early Islamic period.

A small staircase leads up to the site of the ruined northeast tower, while a long passageway leads southwest to the barracks, notable for the small holes used for light, the walls of limestone and straw, and a few Byzantine rock inscriptions on the walls. It is one of the largest crusader castles in the Levant. Kerak Castle is a large crusader castle located in Kerak in Jordan. Any rental car office will have a rental car or a car with driver. The Crusaders called it Crac des Moabites or "Karak in Moab", as it is frequently referred to in history books. The neighbouring tower is believed to have been a Mamluk mosque. In a semi-subterranean part of Karak Castle, with a vaulted ceiling, this evocatively lit collection houses some of the finds from the castle and excavations in the surrounding area. At the northern end of the castle is the terrace, directly above the Crusader Gallery, with fine views. Saladin, noted for his restraint shown towards his enemies during his lifetime, spared elements of the Crusader army but personally executed Reynald himself. UNESCO decided in 1985 that Kerak should not be a World Heritage Site due to its deteriorated condition.

He attempted to scare me, and it worked, with the spooky flashlight under the chin trick. This fantastic Crusader stronghold, and later Mamluk fortress, is the reason to visit Karak. Karak Castle | Crac des Moabites | Kerak de Moab, Karak

After the battle, Kerak Castle also fell to Saladin after a long siege, and it would remain in Muslim hands from this point on. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. In 1183 Salahuddin besieged the castle, the siege taking place during the marriage of Humphrey IV of Toron and Isabella of Jerusalem. Kerak is on the King's Highway, 124 km south of the capital Amman, and is the site of a magnificently-situated Crusader castle, now an evocative ruin on the skyline above the city. Kerak Castle is an impressive 12th century Crusader-era fortification located to the south of Amman, Jordan, on the ancient King's Highway. His successors, his nephew Maurice and Philip of Milly, added towers and protected the north and south sides with two deep rock-cut ditches (the southern ditch also serving as a cistern). Construction of the castle began in the 1140s, under Pagan and Fulk, King of Jerusalem. I have over 23 years of international travel experience and have a sincere passion for celebrating humanity, connecting with cultures, finding unique art and adventure. The castle soon became the most important centre of control in the Transjordan region. Its walls are strengthened with rectangular projecting towers and long stone vaulted galleries are lighted only by arrow slits. The most exciting part was the upper courtyard, where you can actually stand in and see a CRUSADER CHAPEL!

In response, while his men were trying to bridge the moat and catapulting rocks against the walls, Salahuddin enquired which tower the newly weds were occupying.

If you haven't seen 'The Kingdom of Heaven' with Orlando Bloom you should, it will show you the Hollywood version of Saladin; he was such a great general! In 1834, a rebel leader besieged the castle during the peasants’ revolt in Palestine.

Salahuddin swore that if Reynald was ever captured he would be executed by his own hands. From Kerak, Raynald harassed the trade caravans and even attempted an attack on Mecca itself.

Parking was a bit confusing as local coffee shops owners try to cash from tourists, although it is free. In 1840, Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt captured the castle and destroyed much of its fortifications. Rental companies available in the area are: Budget, Reliable, Hertz, National, Europcar. Stand beside the Jordan River where it’s thought Jesus was baptized on this private 4-hour trip from Amman. Near the far end of the gallery, steps lead down to the Crusader’s Gate. http://uk.visitjordan.com/default.aspx?tabid=163. In the ensuing hostilities, Reynald launched ships on the Red Sea, partly for piracy, but partly as a threat against Makkah and Madinah, challenging Islam in its own holy places. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. This massive Crusader castle built high on a hilltop dates to 1142. © 2020 Lonely Planet. You enter the castle via the Ottoman Gate: on a windy day, high above the dry moat, it's a struggle and a relief to reach the gate's shelter. Just as empires rise and fall so do entry fees and opening hours! Beautiful view of the valley too. , It is one of the largest crusader castles in the Levant. Kerak castle - Photo: am_mandarine (Instagram) This is the Crusader castle in which resided Reynald-de-Chatillon (also known as Arnat), one of the worst enemies of the Muslims during the Crusades. as we can In 1177, after one particularly notorious attack made on such a caravan during peacetime, the Sultan of Egypt and Syria, Saladin, launched an attack on the crusader kingdom, which resulted in the defeat of Reynald's forces at the Battle of Hattin. It is a notable example of Crusader architecture, a mixture of west European, Byzantine, and Arab designs. Is this a must-do if you are traveling with a, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Are the prices for this place or activity, Fantastic castle, but I was not able to enjoy it to the max after so many others. While Kerak is a large and strong castle, its design is less sophisticated than that of concentric crusader castles like Krak des Chevaliers, and its masonry is comparatively crude. Interior of Kerak castle – Photo: nuriadiazmaso.

The wind was howling, the rain pounding, the temperature barely above freezing!

He isn't talked about much, but ever since watching the movie Kingdom of Heaven; I became very fascinated with him. This is something I did not realize, although Jordan is ruled by the Islamic Laws, they allow Christians to practice their religion within the country as long as they don't try and proselytize.

Saladin conquered this fortress, and after visiting - it made me all the more impressed by his strategy.

Happy Travels, Happy Tales and see you on the Flip Side. Worth stopping by if you are on the Kings Highway. can add a comment above or e-mail us. This castle has many a story to tell I’m sure. Perhaps the best preserved example of a Crusader fortress in existence today, the magnificent fortress of Krak des Chevaliers is a stunning example of Medieval military architecture. Don’t even bother with a stroller.