Ajloun Castle (Qal'at ar-Rabad) is a 12th-century fortress built in 1184-1185 by one of Saladin's generals to watch the roads to the Jordan Valley and defend the area against the Crusaders. Set on a hill about 75 km north-west of Amman, it offers views over the wooded hills and, on a clear day, the Jordan Valley. The visit lasts 1.5 to 2 hours, and the castle combines naturally with Jerash, about thirty kilometres away.
Highlights
The vaulted rooms
Passages, staircases and stone halls inside the fortress; the feel is mostly that of a maze of corridors.
The roof and the towers
The platform at the top gives views over the Ajloun hills and, on a clear day, the Jordan Valley.
The small museum
Housed in the castle, it shows objects, pottery and weapons from the Ayyubid and Mamluk periods.
Ajloun Forest Reserve
About 3 km away, a reserve of oak and carob woodland with hiking trails, useful to extend the outing.
Practical info
Tips
- Entry: about 3 JD for non-Jordanians, museum included (Jordan Tourism Board fee table); the castle is included in the Jordan Pass: see Jordan Pass. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours on site, a bit more with the walk from the car park, and shoes with grip: the stones are smooth. The castle is small compared to Jerash: it is worth it mainly for the view, the Crusader-era history and the drive through the hills. Few people come only for Ajloun: the best combination is Jerash in the morning and Ajloun in the afternoon, or the Jerash and Ajloun day trip from Amman. Back to Amman.
How to get there
From Amman, about 75 km, roughly 1 hour 15 by car via Jerash. By public transport: bus from the Tabarbour north station to Jerash (about 1 JD), then a minibus or shared taxi to Ajloun (about 1 JD) and finally a taxi to the castle, 3 km above the town (about 2 to 3 JD each way). The castle is about 30 km from Jerash. If you prefer to drive, you can rent a car for the day.
Opening hours
Nearby
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