Montréal Castle, Crusader castle in Shoubak, Jordan

Montréal Castle, also called Qal'at ash-Shawbak, sits on a rocky, conical hill east of the Arabah Valley beside the town of Shoubak. Its irregular plan measures about 175 by 90 metres, the result of repeated rebuilding. Of the original three walls only one remains, fitted with rectangular and round towers of three storeys, and the outer face is of smoothly cut stone that is hard to climb.

Baldwin I of Jerusalem built this fortress in 1115 to control trade routes between Egypt and Syria. Power changed in 1189 when Saladin captured it, and it later continued under Mamluk rule.

The fortress displays architectural features from both Crusader and Mamluk periods, including chapels, carved inscriptions, and military construction methods from different cultures. Visitors can see this layering of building styles clearly when exploring the chambers and walls.

The castle stands on a hilltop above the small town of Shoubak, 210 km south of Amman. The only historic approach was a winding slope from the northeast, and the surrounding ditch still survives. The climb is steep, so wear sturdy shoes and carry water, especially in hot weather.

A tunnel cut down through the hill reached two spring-fed cisterns, letting the garrison draw water without exposing itself to attackers. The site had no reliable water source, a problem the Crusaders met across the Middle East. The spiral staircase inside the tunnel has more than 300 steps.