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Karak

The Ancient Crusader Stronghold

Jordan attraction Karak

Karak lies about 150 Km south of Amman. It is famous of its crusader fortress in the center of underground galleries,rooms and secret passageways and its thick definsive walls pierced by narrow arrow slits where crusader archers held out bravely but in vain for over 100 years. It was the crusaders who made Kerak famous. The fortrees was built in 1142 by Payen Le Boutellier, the lord of Montreal.

He made Kerak the new capital of the province because it was situated on the king’s highway, Where it could control all traffic from north and south.

Enjoy Traditional "Mansaf"
It is a popular dish eaten throughout the Levant. It is considered the national dish of Jordan,
mansaf

A Dark Maze of Stone-vaulted Halls & Endless passageways

Kerak Castle is a dark maze of stone-vaulted halls and endless passageways. The best preserved are underground and can be reached via a massive door (ask at the ticket desk). More imposing than beautiful, the castle is nevertheless an impressive insight into the architectural military genius of the Crusaders. With some care, you can walk along the crenellated top of the West Front wall and admire the sweeping view. On clear days, you can look across the Dead Sea and see all the way to the Mount of Olives bordering Jerusalem.

An Ancient Crusader Stronghold

Whether you approach Kerak from the ancient Kings Highway to the east or from the Dead Sea to the west, the striking silhouette of this fortified town and castle will instantly make you understand why the fates of kings and nations were decided here for millennia. An ancient Crusader stronghold, Kerak sits 900m above sea level and lies inside the walls of the old city. The city today is home to around 170,000 people and continues to boast a number of restored 19th century Ottoman buildings, restaurants, places to stay, and the like. But it is undoubtedly Kerak Castle that dominates.