Kerak Castle, Medieval fortress in Al-Karak, Jordan
Kerak Castle rises on a hill about 1000 meters (3280 feet) above sea level and consists of several stacked levels with thick stone walls, arched passages, and underground rooms. The structure extends roughly 220 meters (720 feet) in length and around 125 meters (410 feet) in width, with visitors still able to descend through the different floors today.
Crusaders under Pagan the Butler founded the fortress in 1142 to control trade routes between Damascus, Egypt, and Mecca. Saladin took it after a long siege in 1189 and incorporated it into his realm.
The fortress bears the Arabic name Qal'at al-Karak and continues to shape the skyline of the old town with its massive walls of light brown stone. Visitors often see school groups from the region walking through the vaulted passages, learning about the different construction phases.
A tour takes you through narrow passages and steep stairs, so sturdy footwear and a flashlight for darker sections are useful. The upper areas offer a wide view over the valley and surrounding villages.
The northern wall holds large vaulted halls that served as living quarters, stables, and fighting gallery at the same time. From these rooms defenders could shoot attackers on the slope through narrow openings.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
