About the product
The road to ‘Ajloun, located 25 kilometers west of Jerash and 73
kilometers from Amman, winds through fertile green hillsides lined with
olive groves. The main attraction in ‘Ajloun is the stronghold of Qala’at
al-Rabadh, a fine example of medieval Arab/Islamic military architecture.
The castle was built between 1184-85 CE by the nephew of Salah Eddin
al-Ayyubi (known in the West as Saladin), the great Muslim commander
who waged a successful campaign to recover lands lost to the invading
Crusaders.
Ajloun’s strategic position commanding the Jordan Valley, as well as the
three small valleys leading to it, made it an important link in the defensive
chain against the Crusaders, who spent decades unsuccessfully trying to
capture the castle and nearby village. The fortress is built upon the apex
of the hill above ‘Ajloun, and offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding
countryside. On a clear day you can see the Dead Sea, the Jordan Valley,
the West Bank, and Lake Tiberias (the Sea of Galilee).
The original fortress had four corner towers, with arrow slits and a
16-meter-wide moat. It was enlarged in 1214-15 CE by the Mamluk officer
Aibak ibn Abdullah, who added a new tower in the southeast corner
and constructed the main one. In 1229, the castle fell to the Emirate
of Karak. In 1260, it was largely destroyed by the Mongol invaders, but
was reconquered and rebuilt almost immediately by the Mamluk Sultan
Baybars. The southwest tower was constructed at that time. During
Mamluk times, Qala’at al-Rabadh was one in a network of beacons and
pigeon posts that allowed messages to be transmitted from Baghdad to
Cairo in only twelve hours.
kilometers from Amman, winds through fertile green hillsides lined with
olive groves. The main attraction in ‘Ajloun is the stronghold of Qala’at
al-Rabadh, a fine example of medieval Arab/Islamic military architecture.
The castle was built between 1184-85 CE by the nephew of Salah Eddin
al-Ayyubi (known in the West as Saladin), the great Muslim commander
who waged a successful campaign to recover lands lost to the invading
Crusaders.
Ajloun’s strategic position commanding the Jordan Valley, as well as the
three small valleys leading to it, made it an important link in the defensive
chain against the Crusaders, who spent decades unsuccessfully trying to
capture the castle and nearby village. The fortress is built upon the apex
of the hill above ‘Ajloun, and offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding
countryside. On a clear day you can see the Dead Sea, the Jordan Valley,
the West Bank, and Lake Tiberias (the Sea of Galilee).
The original fortress had four corner towers, with arrow slits and a
16-meter-wide moat. It was enlarged in 1214-15 CE by the Mamluk officer
Aibak ibn Abdullah, who added a new tower in the southeast corner
and constructed the main one. In 1229, the castle fell to the Emirate
of Karak. In 1260, it was largely destroyed by the Mongol invaders, but
was reconquered and rebuilt almost immediately by the Mamluk Sultan
Baybars. The southwest tower was constructed at that time. During
Mamluk times, Qala’at al-Rabadh was one in a network of beacons and
pigeon posts that allowed messages to be transmitted from Baghdad to
Cairo in only twelve hours.
Contact with supplier
Company