Al-Rabad Castle (Ajloun Castle), 1184-1185, 12th Century A.D, fortified stone building

Whole artwork view. View from south-west of the castle of al-Rabad, also known as Qa'lat al-Rabad or Ajloun Castle; the fortress is considered one of the very few built to protect the country against Crusader attacks; equipped with powerful walls and four angular towers, it was surrounded by a fosse, from its high position, it overlooked a a large portion of the valley to the north of Jordan, it controlled the three main access and it protected the communications between southern Jordan and Syria. From its situation, the fortress dominated a wide stretch of the northern Jordan Valley, controlled the three main passages that led to it and protected the communication routes between south Jordan and Syria; the original castle core had four corner towers; arrow slits were incorporated in the thick walls and it was surrounded by a fosse; 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. Al-Rabad Castle, Ajlun, Ajloun, Jordan