Ajloun Castle
Ajloun Castle قلعة عجلون | |
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Ajloun, Jordan | |
Coordinates | 32°19′30.75″N 35°43′38.21″E / 32.3252083°N 35.7272806°E |
Type | Castle |
Ajloun Castle (
Names
The name 'Ajlun goes back to a Christian monk who lived on this mountain in the
The castle has been the nucleus of a settlement which has grown to become the present town of Ajloun. The castle's developing faubourg led to its second name, Qalʻat ar-Rabad, "the castle of the faubourg" or "the castle with the suburbs".[2] This name still resonates in the surname of a large and reputable Christian family owning most of the agricultural lands in the direct vicinity of the castle until this day, the Al-Rabadis.
History
Byzantine monastery
Ajlun Castle is located on the site of an old monastery, traces of which were discovered during archaeological excavations. Tradition has it that the name 'Ajlun goes back to a Byzantine-period monk who lived in the area.
12th-century Ayyubid castle
Purpose
It was rebuilt as a castle in 1184 by
From its location, the fortress dominated a wide stretch of the northern
Original outline
The original castle had four corner towers connected by curtain walls and a double gate. Arrow slits were incorporated in the thick walls and it was surrounded by a moat averaging 16 meters (about 52 feet) in width and 12–15 meters (about 40–50 feet) in depth.
13th century: expansion, Mongol destruction, restoration
After Usama's death, the castle was enlarged in AD 1214–15 by Aibak ibn Abdullah, the Mamluk governor. He added a new tower in the southeast corner and built the gate.
The castle lost its military importance after the fall of Karak in AD 1187 to the Ayyubids. In the middle of the 13th century AD, the castle was conceded to Yousef ibn Ayoub, emir of Aleppo and Damascus, who restored the northeastern tower and used the castle as an administrative center.
In 1260 AD, the
Ottoman period
During the
Earthquakes and restoration
Two major destructive earthquakes struck the castle in 1837 and 1927. Recently, the Department of Antiquities of Jordan has sponsored a program of restoration and consolidation of the walls and has rebuilt the bridge over the fosse.
Tourism
Ajlun castle is open for tourism. Many areas of the castle can be explored. Tourists in Jordan often visit the castle. Inside there is also a museum exhibition with many interesting artifacts from the various time periods of the region.
Ajloun Cable Car
Tour guide Ahlam Serhan highlights the unique perspective that the cable car offers in showcasing Ajloun’s historical and natural landmarks. By gliding through the air, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the region’s rich history and cultural significance. Importantly, Serhan emphasizes that the cable car promotes sustainable tourism, as it minimizes the impact on Ajloun’s natural resources. Visitors can now appreciate the area’s beauty without disturbing the delicate ecosystem that sustains it.[1]
Gallery
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General view of the castle atop Jabal 'Auf
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General view, castle and mount
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General view at night
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Castle walls from outside
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Moat, bridge, and outer gate
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Bridge over the moat, outer gate
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Second gate
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Passage (stairs) ascending from inner gate, door to museum
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Castle hall housing the museum
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Museum: stone-carved door of ancient grave
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Ajloun Castle Museum: ancient multi-wick oil lamp
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Ajloun Castle Museum: Christian oil lamp, Byzantine period
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Ajloun Castle Museum: Roman glass vessel
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Ajloun Castle Museum: Roman glass object
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Ajloun Castle Museum: preserved Byzantine mosaic floor
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Inner view (corridor)
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Inner view (door between corridor and room)
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One of the watchtowers
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Vaulted ceiling
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Ajloun Mountains
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Ajloun Mountains
References
- ^ Maurice Gaudefroy-Demombynes, La Syrie à l'époque des Mamelouks d'après les auteurs arabes, Bibliothèque archéologique et historique du Service des Antiquités et des Beaux-Arts en Syrie et au Liban, vol. III, Paris 1923, p 66
- ^ Johns, C.N. (Cedric Norman). Medieval 'Ajlun, p. 30.
- ISBN 9781858287409.
Ajloun earthquake damage.
- Cartulaire général de l'ordre des Hospitaliersde Saint-Jean de Jérusalem (1100-1301), vol. I, Paris 1894, p 395-396, No. 582 of 28 April 1180
Bibliography
- Darwish, Nazmieh Rida Tawfiq (1990). Jordan. Plurigraf Narni.