Ajlun Castle
Ajlun Castle, located in northwestern Jordan, is a 12th-century Muslim castle. Ajlun Castle, a large medieval castle commissioned by Saladin and erected by his nephew Izz al-Din Usama, was a stronghold designed to frighten the Franks. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful historical sites in Jordan.
While the crusaders in the Levant played cat and mouse with the mighty Saladin, his generals were preparing for war on their own terms — a campaign that would see the Franks crushed many years later in 1187 at the battle of Hattin. Arab military fortifications grew stronger throughout time, and Saladin worked hard to combine Muslim forces.
Ajlun, an enormous stronghold with a moat, drawbridge, and towers, was built in 1184 but lost much of its military value after the loss of Karak, a crusader stronghold in southern Jordan. The fortress, on the other hand, continued to monitor major trade routes into Syria and was thus never permitted to fall into disrepair, acting largely as an administrative center under Ayyubid and then Mamluk administration.
Ajlun would even play an important role in the wars between the Mongols and the Mamluk empire. The Mongol invaders occupied and seriously damaged the castle before it was regained by the Mameluk Sultan Baibars following the Mongol defeat at the historic battle of Ayn Jalut, where the astounding Mongol advance was ultimately beaten back.
Later, after the Ottomans established their dominance in the area, Ajlun Castle would continue to serve as an administrative center until the 19th century, when significant earthquake damage forced its closure.
A visit to Ajlun Castle now immerses guests in the culture of siege warfare and transports them back in time to one of the region's most catastrophic periods. The Ajlun Archeological Museum, housed inside the castle, also offers exceptional specimens of pottery and ceramics, as well as other displays and artifacts from the region. Visitors can encounter the local fauna in the neighboring Ajlun Nature Reserve in addition to the stunning views of Jordan.
