Ajloun Castle.. Amazing facts that will take you on a journey through history when you visit it
Arab Weather - On top of a mountain that touches the clouds, and in the embrace of enchanting nature, Ajloun Castle stands tall as an eternal guard that tells a story of steadfastness that spans more than eight centuries. It is not just a stone fortress, but an architectural masterpiece that tells chapters of wars and victories, as it was a sword in the hands of Muslims in the face of the Crusaders, and an eye that monitored the trade routes between the Levant and Jordan.
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Why was Ajloun Castle built?
In 1184 AD, Saladin realized the importance of Ajloun's strategic location, so he ordered his commander Izz al-Din Usama ibn Munqidh to build the castle as a fortress to protect the region from Crusader expansion. The castle was built on the remains of a Byzantine monastery, and became a military center that controlled the trade routes and mountain passes linking the Levant to Jordan.
Military engineering with a touch of genius
The construction of the castle was not just a stacking of stones, but rather a masterful engineering work that reflects the Arabs’ genius in military architecture. The castle was designed in the form of a square fortified with four towers, each tower consisting of two floors, with secret passages connecting its parts to each other. It was also equipped with hot oil chutes, narrow shooting holes, and a drawbridge to further fortify it.
Inside the citadel , Ayyubid architects excelled in using octagons to distribute the weight across the walls, enabling later generations to add new floors without compromising the solidity of the structure. They used copper-mixed mortar, which turned green when water leaked, making it easier to detect and repair any defects in the walls immediately.
Ajloun Castle and a view of Palestine and Syria
Thanks to its unique location, Ajloun Castle offers a view extending across the Jordan Valley to the heights of Nablus and Jerusalem, and its soldiers could spot any suspicious movements from far away. It also overlooks the valleys of Kufranja and Rajab, vital passages used by armies and traders throughout the ages.
Nature has not been kind to this castle; it has been subjected to a series of devastating earthquakes, which led to the collapse of parts of it. However, the castle has not lost its grandeur, as it has undergone restoration operations that have preserved its historical identity, remaining steadfast as one of the most beautiful Islamic castles in the world.
Today.. Ajloun Castle, the gateway to tourism and history
Today, the castle has become one of the most prominent tourist destinations in Jordan , attracting history buffs and adventurers who want to explore its glorious past. Its museum houses rare artifacts, such as catapult shells, Islamic inscriptions, and coins dating back to the Ayyubid and Mamluk eras.
A journey into the heart of history... Are you ready?
If you are looking for an experience that takes you back in time, a visit to Ajloun Castle will give you that and more. From its walls, you will feel like an Ayyubid soldier watching for enemies, or a traveler contemplating the beauty of the green nature that embraces the ancient fortress. Here, in Ajloun , the past meets the present, and history remains a witness to an everlasting glory!
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