English
shobak
jordan tours - route map
A lonely reminder of former Crusader glory is Shobak Castle, less than an hour
north of Petra. Once called "Mont Real", built by Balduin 1, the king of
Jerusalem in 1115. It is perched on the side of a mountain, with a grand sweep
of fruit trees below. The castle's exterior is impressive, with a forbidding
gate and encircling triple wall. Despite the precautions of its builder, the
fortress fell to Saladin only 75 years after it was raised. Inscriptions by his
proud successors appear on the castle wall.