Kerak Castle (قلعة الكرك) is a large Crusader castle located in the town of al-Karak, Jordan. It is one of the largest crusader castles in the Levant. Construction of the castle began in the 1140s, under Pagan and Fulk, King of Jerusalem. The Crusaders also called it Crac des Moabites or “Karak in Moab.” It was also known as Krak of the Desert. The castle fell to Saladin in the 12th century. The castle was enlarged by the Mamluks, and later taken by the Ayyuibids. Much of the castle was destroyed in 1840 during the peasants’ revold in Palestine. In 1893 the Ottomans reestablished control of the castle.
The Castle as seen when approaching from the south
The main entrance is to the right of this massive wall.
From the top of the castle there is an excellent view in all directions.
The mighty walls.
From the walls you can look down onto the road that winds up the hills side to the small town of Kerak.
The far building is the end of the castle.
A view of the Dead Sea taken from the walls of Kerak Castle.
A statue of a Nabatean horsman, taken from an earlier Nabataean building that occuped this site. Previous to that, the Moabite capital of Qir was on this site.
The Castle in the distance as you approach from the north
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