For an optimal view of our website, please rotate your tablet horizontally.
The castle of Shobak, the "royal mountain" Montreal or Mons Regalis as it used to be called, was the first Crusader fortress in a line of strongholds in Oultrejourdain, the territory East of the river Jordan. Baldwin I King of Jerusalem ordered its construction in 1115 to control the caravan routes between Syria and Egypt.
Perched on a conical hilltop, it had a well shaft inside that could be accessed via 375 steps down to the water vein, an unparalleled advantage during a siege. In fact, Montreal managed to hold out longer (until May 1189) against Saladin's attacks than the Crusader's main castle Kerak.
Shobak Castle - Montréal
via King's Highway
30 km north of Petra
Location on map
Opening hours:
Daily, except Fri: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fri: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
(Information without guarantee, times may change)
© Texts and photos are protected by copyright.
Compilation of information, editing, translations, photos: Universes in Universe, unless otherwise indicated.