12th Century Muslim Castle

Our first full day in Jordan started with a drive north from the city of Amman to the town of Ajloun to see Ajloun Castle.

This 12th century Muslim castle was once used to control traffic along the ancient King’s Highway and protect the area from Crusaders who wanted to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim rule.

The Holy Land consists of Israel, Palestine, Western Jordan, Southern Lebanon, and Southwestern Syria.

The landscape was hilly, with many olive trees.

S, 🇯🇴

Drive From Amman To Ajloun

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Ajloun Castle On Mount ‘Auf

Standing 1250 meters above sea level is Ajloun Castle. Ajloun Castle is a 12th Century fortress that was built under the rule of the sultan and military leader Saladin. The Castle is set on top of Mount ‘Auf and provides visitors with astonishing views of the Jordan Valley and surrounding desert. Over the years the castle has undergone many rebuilds and although much of the original features no longer exist, there are many chambers, carvings, and towers to keep both adults and children interested. ~ 2024 Tourist Jordan

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A Stop

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Our driver Walid stopped at this store for cigarettes.

Walid is a driver, not a tour guide.

During our week in Jordan, Walid would pick us up at our hotel then drive us to our destinations.

As we toured the location, he would sit with friends, smoke and drink Turkish coffee.

At the end of our day, Walid would drive us back to our hotel.

Walid is relaxed, friendly and shared a wealth of information and love for his Jordan.

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Ajloun Castle Cafe

Walid purchased our tickets at the tourist centre.  Before Michael and I started exploring the castle, we enjoyed a coffee with Walid at the cafe.

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Jordan’s Royal Family

A picture of Jordan’s Royal Family – Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, Queen Rania and children Hussian, Hashen, Iman and Salma. The family belongs to the Hashemites, the ruling family of Jordan since 1921 and claim to be direct descendants of Muhammad’s daughter Fatimah.

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Aljoun Castle Cafe

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Hashemite Kingdom Of Jordan

Jordan is officially called The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

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Entrance To The Castle Grounds

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Murals On The Wall While Walking To The Castle

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Entering The Castle

The entrance is to the left side of the castle then walk to the front.

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View Of Jordan Valley

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History & Timeline

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Islamic Military Architecture

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Courtyard

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Bridge Over The Dry Moat

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Looking Down At The Dry Moat

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Walking Into The Castle 

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Steps And Entrance Door

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Narrow Archery Window

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Walking Into Entrance Chamber

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Looking Back Outside

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Arches and Light

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Inner Courtyard

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The Museum

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Stones for Catapults

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Flies

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Mysterious Michael

Possible Remnants Of A Byzantine Church

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On The Roof – View of Southern Hills Of Ajloun & Hills Of Salt & Dead Sea & Jordan Valley

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Looking Down Into Castle

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Small Lizard

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Jordanian Father & Son With Matching Style Including Ray Ban Sunglasses

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Exploring The Grounds Behind The Castle

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Stepping Back In History

While touring the castle, we tried to visualize what it would have been like living there during the 12th century, especially during a cool Jordanian winter.

A little more information, Ajloun is about an hour or so drive to the south of Syria.

S, 🇯🇴

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June, 2019 – Exploring Jordan

Ajloun, Jordan – Ajloun Castle – A 12th Century Muslim Castle

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City Of Gerasa/Jerash – Arriving & Arch Of Hadrian & Visitor’s Centre

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City Of Gerasa/Jerash – The South Gate Entrance

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City Of Gerasa/Jerash – The Oval Forum or The Oval Plaza

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Incredible Cardo Maximus

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Incredible Cardo Maximus – Manhole Covers For Underground Drainage

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Incredible Cardo Maximus – Street Lights

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Incredible Cardo Maximus – Water Fountain

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Incredible Cardo Maximus – Chariot Tracks

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Incredible Cardo Maximus – The Macellum

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Incredible Cardo Maximus – Earthquake Alarm System

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Incredible Cardo Maximus – The Nymphaeum

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Incredible Cardo Maximus – The Parking Lot

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Incredible Cardo Maximus – Tetrapylon Monuments

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – The North Theatre

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Artemis Temple

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Walk From Artemis Temple To The South Theatre

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – The South Theatre

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Zeus’ Temple

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – That’s A Wrap

Madaba, Jordan – St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church & The Madaba Map – A 6th Century Map Of Jerusalem And The Holy Land

Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Its Religious Significance & The Drive There

Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – Franciscan Custody Of The Holy Land & Monolith Of The 2000 Jubilee & The Abu Badd

Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – Olive Trees

Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – Walk To The Mount Nebo Museum

Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – The Jordanian Bedouin

Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – The Museum

Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – View Of The Holy Land

Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – The Olive Tree Of Pope John Paul II

Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – The Brazen Serpent Sculpture Created By Italian Artist Giovanni Fantoni 

Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – The Moses Memorial Church & Byzantine Mosaics

Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – A Visit To Sacred Grounds

Madaba, Jordan – A Local Artisan Shop

Dhiban, Jordan – Wadi Mujib – Jordan’s Grand Canyon

Dhiban, Jordan – Wadi Mujib – Jordan’s Grand Canyon – The Bedouin

Shoubak, Jordan – The Outcasts Of Jordan – The Bani Murra Or Dom People

Shoubak, Jordan – Ancient Landscape

Shoubak, Jordan – The Smallest Hotel in the World

Shoubak, Jordan – Montreal Crusader Castle

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Hyatt Zaman Hotel & Resort – Check In

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Hyatt Zaman Hotel & Resort – Turkish Bath

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Ban Al Siq, Obelisk Tomb & Abdomanchos’ Burial Monument

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Entering The Siq

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Siq – Indiana Jone’s Ride Through The Siq

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Siq – Sandstone Hues Of Pinkish Orange & Relics Of The Past

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Siq – Petra Bedouins – Captain Jack Sparrows Of The Jordanian Desert

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Treasury – The Moment You See It

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Treasury – The Corner Before The Treasury

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Treasury – Al-Khazneh – Every Angle Possible

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Treasury – Al-Khazneh – The Camels

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Treasury – Al-Khazneh – The Donkeys

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Treasury – Al-Khazneh – Fun Moments

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Historic Information Before Walking The City

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Street of Facades

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Theatre

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Royal Tombs

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Nymphaeum

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Church

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Great Temple Complex

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Winged Lion Temple

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Qasr Al-Bint

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Wandering Donkeys

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Wandering Goats

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Horses

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Camels

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Tomb Or Home?

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Marguerite van Geldermalsen – Married To A Bedouin

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – New Friends

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Walking Back – End Of The Tour

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Hyatt Zaman Hotel & Resort – Exploring This Desert Oasis

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Hyatt Zaman Hotel & Resort – Morning Shisha At Sahtain Restaurant

Aquaba, Jordan – Driving The Desert Highway From Petra To Wadi Rum

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – The Dramatic Seven Pillars Of Wisdom

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – Visitor Centre

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – Mazayen Rum Camp

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – Planet Pasaana, Jedha, Mars, Arrakis & Earth

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – 4×4 Tour – Lookout Climb & Scalding Hot Sand

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – 4×4 Tour – Michael Climbs & Alien Space Ship

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – 4×4 Tour – Otherworldly Landscapes

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – 4×4 Tour – Barrah Siq – Valley of the Moon Or Lawrence Of Arabia Pass

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – 4×4 Tour – Barrah Siq – Lawrence of Arabia Memorial Camp

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – Bedouin Barbecue – Zarb

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – Sunrise Camel Trek

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – Final Moments

Aqaba, Jordan – View Of Eilat, Israel & Driving Highway #65

Balqa, Jordan – Dead Sea Spa Hotel – The Dead Sea – Unforgettable First-Time Swim

Balqa, Jordan – Dead Sea Spa Hotel – The Dead Sea – The Mud

Balqa, Jordan – Dead Sea Spa Hotel – The Dead Sea – Floating

Balqa, Jordan – Dead Sea Spa Hotel – Afternoon In The Pool

Balqa, Jordan – Dead Sea Spa Hotel – Last Day

Amman, Jordan – Final Day In Jordan

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