Shobak Castle- Montreal Jordan 🇯🇴 2022

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5 castles in 1 day.
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Exploring Shobak Castle: A Crusader Fortress with a Bloody Past

I’m sitting on an ancient Crusader-era rock at Shobak Castle (also called Montreal), one of Jordan’s most fascinating medieval ruins. Built in 1115 by Baldwin I of Jerusalem, this hilltop fortress guarded the vital trade route between Egypt and Syria, surrounded by orchards and overlooking the Edom plains.

A Castle of Many Names & Masters
Originally named Krak de Montréal (after its royal connections), Shobak was part of the Lordship of Oultrejordain after 1142, linked strategically to Karak Castle. The first lord, Philip of Nablus, expanded the fortress, but its most infamous owner was Reynald of Châtillon, who gained control by marrying Stephanie de Milly. Reynald—a man equally feared and despised—used Shobak as a base for raiding Muslim caravans, provoking Saladin’s wrath.

Architectural Secrets & Siege Warfare
Shobak’s motte-and-bailey design blends European and Middle Eastern military engineering:

Massive walls with Crusader-era arrow slits and Arab-style rounded towers (added later by the Mamluks).

A hidden tunnel (still walkable!) that once led to a spring at the hill’s base—critical during Saladin’s two-year siege (1187–1189).

A Mamluk-era schoolhouse (behind me now), built after Saladin’s victory in 1189, showing the castle’s Islamic revival.

Why Shobak Matters
Last Stand: It fell months after Karak, marking the end of Crusader dominance in Transjordan.

Hybrid Heritage: The mix of Crusader, Ayyubid, and Mamluk layers makes it an archaeological puzzle.

Panoramic Views: On a clear day, you can see all the way to Petra’s mountains.

Final Thoughts: Walking through Shobak’s ruins, I could almost hear the clang of swords and Reynald’s defiant laughter. Unlike polished Petra, this place feels raw and untamed—a testament to Jordan’s layered history.


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