Day-3 Ajloun Castle
After rushing from Umm Qays, we still had a long journey back to the south. Ajloun, located 70 km north from Amman and 25km wast from Jerash, along the plateau which still overlooks Jordan Valley.
The view along the road is similar, green with pine and olive trees and hiily. The wind blew very strong, that's why at the top of some hills they put some wind turbines.
We took the main road which connect all north place of Jordan to Amman, this road passed a lot of small villages and housing areas. After some time, we turned and went into small lanes climbing uphill and finally arrived at the castle.
Ajloun Castle (Qala'at Al Rabadh) is a fine example of Arabic/Islamic military architecture. Built around in 1184 by Salah El-Din - the muslim leader during Crusade Wars - nephew and commander.
The castle was built on top of the hill and we can get a vast view from the top of the castle, in the bright day, even they said we can see as far as dead sea. It is surrounded by moat, which is now dried and full of grass. A drawbrigde to the main entrance of the castle and several rooms used for dining, dormitory and stables. There are several ruined tower which can be seen from inside as well as a open area at one side of the castle for a defensive purpose.
I looked around for something warm when I saw a tea-seller right in front of the castle entrance stair. This old man with a small table ith 2 big tea pot, boiling.
I asked for 1 tea and cost me 1 JD - which is not cheap for a small plastic glass of black tea. He put mint inside and didn't put any sugar as I wish.
I like his stall and big teapots
Original castle was built with 4 towers and surrounding by moat with 16-m width and 12-15-m depth, which is now dried.
After the death of Usama, the castle was expanded by adding new southeast tower and the new bridge around 12 century. The expansion was continued by theruler of Syria in 13 century.
After then the castle was destroyed by Mogol invaders but then restored again.
During Mamluk rule, this place held an important role for communication with pigeon posts that allowed messages to be transmitted from Damascus to Cairo in just 12 hours.
When the Mamluk era declined and Ottoman period took place, this castle occupied by soldiers.
In 1812 it was founded by Swiss traveler and there were local families inhabited the castle.
During 1827 and 1927, 2 powerful earthquakes struck and destroyed the castle, then the whole castle and moat was reconstructed by Jordanian goverment.
