Shobak Castle (Montreal): visit, opening hours, price and access from Petra
Shobak Castle, or Montreal, was the first Crusader fortress in the region, founded in 1115 by King Baldwin I of Jerusalem. Quieter than Kerak, it overlooks a valley of orchards and takes 1 to 1.5 hours to visit, about 40 km from Petra. Entry is about 1 JD according to most sources (free with the Jordan Pass); confirm on site.
Highlights
The gate and the walls
The ramparts and the light-stone entrance gate overlook the path; you walk freely among the ruins, with no set route.
The church and the halls in ruins
Vaults, wall sections and arches you can see up close; the fortress was reworked by the Mamluks after the Crusaders.
The secret staircase to the spring
A spiral passage, often described as having more than 300 steps, goes down into the rock to a spring that supplied the castle during sieges. Bring a torch and good shoes.
The viewpoints
The castle looks over terraced hills, best at the end of the day.
Practical info
Tips
- Entry: about 1 JD according to most guides, one site says 3 JD; included in the Jordan Pass. A local guide can be hired at the entrance for about 10 JD. The site is less busy than Kerak: a good stop between Dana and Petra on the Kings Highway. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours on site. History: the fortress fell to Saladin in 1189 after a long siege, then the Mamluks reworked it. No restaurant or shop inside: bring water.
How to get there
From Wadi Musa (Petra), about 40 km, roughly 45 minutes by car or taxi; from Amman, about 3 hours by the Desert Highway. It is mostly visited by car or with a driver, on a drive between Amman, Kerak and Petra. See car rental. If you prefer to drive, you can rent a car for the day.
Opening hours
Nearby
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