Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(see 16)
22
Shwarma Stands
C2
Transport
23
Bus Station
B5
24
Minibuses to Al-Qasr, Ar-Rabbah and Ariha
D3
25
Minibuses to Mu'tah and Mazar
D1
Sights
Karak's friendly, busy and chaotic town centre radiates around the statue of Saladin. The
plaza near the entrance to the castle has been redeveloped, and it's in the surrounding
streets that you'll find most of the tourist hotels and restaurants. Qala'a St is also known
by the English name, Castle St.
Look for signs in the suburbs to two panorama points just southeast and northwest of
town, providing grand views of the castle.
CASTLE
Karak Castle
( 2351216; admission JD1; 8am-4pm Oct-Mar, to 7pm Apr-Sep)
The entrance to
Karak Castle is at the southern end of Al Qala'a St, and throughout the castle, informative
display boards give detailed descriptions of the history and function of each structure.
Bring a torch (flashlight) to explore the darker regions, and watch your head on low door-
ways. Reconstruction and excavation work within the castle is ongoing.
The main entrance,
Ottoman's Gate
, is reached via a bridge over the dry moat. The
Crusader's Gate
(old entrance) is not open to the public.
From Ottoman's Gate, pass the ticket office and take the path to the left. Resist the
temptation to head into the vaulted corridor straight ahead and instead turn left and enter
the
Crusader Gallery
Offline map
Google map
(stables). Near the far end of the gal-
lery, steps lead down to the Crusader's Gate. Those entering the castle did so via a narrow
winding passage (separated from the Crusader Gallery by a wall). This restrictive access
is typical of Crusader castles, ensuring the entrance could be easily defended. On the
north wall is a (now headless)
carved figure
Offline map
Google map
that local le-
gend claims to be Saladin, but which actually dates from the 2nd century AD and is be-
lieved by scholars to be a Nabataean funerary carving.
