Picture of Gateway of Qalat ar-Rabad: looking up at the main entrance to the sky (Ajloun, Jordan)

Gateway to Qalat ar-Rabad: looking towards the sky

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In a landscape of rolling, green hills, towering high above valleys and surrouding villages, is the Arab castle of Qalat ar-Rabad.
The original castle had four watchtowers, but it was later extended and new towers were added. While it was never taken by the crusaders, it was however conquered and partly destroyed by the Mongols in 1260. After the Mamluks had taken control again, the castle was again restored, and used for storage. Later on, it was again used as a castle, before Swiss traveller J.L. Burkhardt came across Qalat ar-Rabad or Ajloun Castle in 1812. It was badly damaged by two earthquakes, reconstruction works are still underway, but during my visit, some parts were still very messy. I took my time in discovering the castle, all its hidden corridors and passages, stairs, climbing up walls, enjoying the view from some of the watchtowers that are still accessible, realizing just how strategically positioned the castle is, while listening to the sounds of sheep being herded down below, and the wind blowing through the pine trees, and I wondered how similar these sounds must have been centuries ago.
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