Shobak Castle

About

Built in 1115 by King Baldwin I of Jerusalem, Shobak Castle was the first of many fortifications erected beyond the Jordan River to guard the road from Egypt to Damascus. Having resisted a number of attacks, it finally fell to Saladin's troops in 1189 after a two-year siege that saw the defenders selling off their family members for food. Today, the castle experience begins when visitors first glimpse its imposing silhouette from a distance. Within the castle complex you’ll find original Crusader elements alongside Mamluk additions and modern restorations, such as a church with a Crusader cross or keep with Quaranic inscriptions. In the catacombs of one church, you can find Islamic tablets, Christian carvings, rocks used for catapults, and what is allegedly Saladin's throne. While plans to hold large-scale reenactments on site haven’t yet been realized, the staff dress as Saladin's soldiers and are happy to pose for pictures.