Ajloun Castle
Ajloun Castle sits on top of Mount 'Auf, towards the north of Jordan. The castle has a fascinating history, offering an insight into the many changing empires, armies and societies that have inhabited this part of the Middle East through the centuries.
Area
Amman
Type
Art & Architecture
History
Grade
Standard
Who
Adults
Difficulty
Moderate
Duration
1-2 Hours
The well preserved castle of Ajloun was built between 1184 and 1188 by Izz ad Din Usama bin Munqidh, who was one of Saladin's generals and also his nephew.
The castle's location made it strategically important in the defense against the Crusaders. It was also a key link in communication chains between Syria and Egypt, using beacons and pigeon post. The building has been destroyed, rebuilt and occupied by a number of invaders and armies, including the Mongols, Mamluks and Ottomans. It was also badly damaged by earthquakes in 1837 and 1927, with restoration still continuing.
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