Famous Crusader castle
Famous Crusader castle Karak (sometimes also called Kerak) (1000 m asl) guards the valley leading to the Dead Sea. In guidebooks it is referred to be one of the biggest attractions of the country, but in fact many travelers are quite disappointed. Nice views of the surroundings especially towards the Dead Sea are more interesting than the ruins of the castle itself and the adjacent modern town.
Silhouette of the castle
Already during the arrival to the town you can see how is the castle monumental. It enthrones on the hill directly above the valley leading to the Dead Sea.
The path to the castle
The castle or rather the entire town, is bypassed by the road No. 50 leading from the highway Aqaba – Amman to Al Mazraa at the Dead Sea. You just need to walk through the town up to the top of the hill, where is the entrance to the castle.
Massive walls
You can make the best idea about the former massiveness of the castle on the castle terraces. The possible enemy would have to climb several floors of walls here. That is also why Saladin's army besieged it for more than a year, before starving garrison surrendered.
The ruins of the castle
The castle is basically just a huge ruin, so you will need to imagine how it might look here in its heyday. Anyway, the castle is very large and you are free to walk to any of the basements.
View to the Dead Sea
From the walls there is very nice view to the west on a small winding road descending steeply down to the world's deepest depression filled by the Dead Sea.
Area around Karak
The area around Karak looks a bit parched, but even so farmers are here quite successful.
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