Ajloun

Northern Jordan’s Ajloun region seamlessly blends ecological marvels with military genius. Situated just 73 km north of Amman, this area is defined by the sprawling pine forests of Ajloun-Dibbine—a haven for locals seeking a natural escape—and the towering Ajloun Castle (Qal’at Ar-Rabad).

Built in 1184 AD by one of Saladin’s generals, this Ayyubid fortress was a critical link in the defensive chain against the Crusaders, designed to control the local iron mines and protect vital trade routes between Jordan and Syria. The Crusaders spent decades trying unsuccessfully to capture the castle, a feat of medieval Arab military architecture.

The history is rich on the approach: you’ll travel through beautiful pine forests and olive groves to reach the town, where Emperor Hadrian himself once wintered in 129–30 AD. Today, the restored castle, with its four original towers, deep moat, and subsequent Mameluk expansions (including the work of Sultan Baybars), offers a breathtaking panorama of the Jordan Valley.