Crusader Castle

Krak de Montreal
Shobak, Jordan

Shobak is the earliest Crusader castle in Jordan. Built in 1115 by Baldwin I, it was only surrendered in 1189, two years after the Battle of Hattin. The strength of this fortress was, in a sense, its weakness; cut off and surrounded, its garrison nevertheless held fast, amid incredible privation and suffering, long after any rational hope of relief had vanished.

Shobak is located on Mont Rial, about 23 km north of Petra. Rebuilt several times, its walls and towers, as seen today, date to the Islamic period, 13th century and later.