Karak Castle is an impressive military architectural building located in the city of Al Karak and has more than two thousand years of history. According to experts, this place was one of the main settlements of the Kingdom of Moab in the 9th century BC. The Moabites are mentioned in the Old Testament, where it is said that they were besieged by the King of Israel and his allies.
Built on a hill, this famous Crusader stronghold, which later became a Mamluk citadel, dates back to the 12th century and was primarily used to protect Bedouin shepherds, travellers and merchants on the routes from Damascus to Aegisthus and Saudi Arabia.
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Although Al Karak is a city with a long history, its most striking feature is the imposing castle that stands on the rocky mountain. It was built by the Crusaders beginning in the 1140s.
This happened during the reign of King Fulk of Jerusalem, under the command of Payen the Butler. The reason was to make Al Karak its main place, and so its construction stands out for its design to withstand long sieges.
However, the castle suffered several sieges by the Muslims, and it was finally Saladin who took the fortress in 1189, after the Battle of the Horns of Hattin.
In 1263, it was in the hands of the Mamluk Baibars, who ordered the castle to be expanded. It was then taken by Ibrahim Pasha in 1840, and many of its fortifications were destroyed.
This impressive castle is an example of Crusader architecture, combining Byzantine, European and Arabic styles. This is why it is known as a good example of a “Mountain Castle” or “Spur Castle”, as it is a fortress built on a promontory.
Since three of its sides are on steep hills, the soldiers only had to concentrate their defenses on the side where the enemy could access.
This is why it also has ditches up to 20 meters high, known as Byzantine wells, because in this way they could keep the enemy at a distance.
Today, Al Karak Castle is not in the best condition, as it is less robust than other contemporary fortresses, but, although it is not being preserved or restored, it is a construction that provides a historical vestige of the importance of these buildings of their time.
As it is located on the route that goes from northern Jordan to Petra, it is a place that can be visited to see its interior, which is characterized by its imposing Crusader Gallery, as well as its ancient chapel, the underground galleries and some of its towers that are still standing.
