Shobak Castle, also known as Montreal (Mont Réal), is a majestic Crusader fortress located on a rugged hilltop in southern Jordan near the town of Shobak. Built in 1115 AD by Baldwin I of Jerusalem, it was the first Crusader outpost east of the Jordan River, strategically positioned to control trade and pilgrimage routes along the King’s Highway.

The castle features a mix of Crusader, Ayyubid, and Mamluk architecture, with thick stone walls, semi-circular towers, underground chambers, and secret tunnels, including one that leads deep into the valley below. Though partly in ruins, Shobak’s dramatic location and eerie silence give it a timeless, fortress-on-the-edge-of-the-world atmosphere. Visitors can explore its chapel ruins, cisterns, and ancient inscriptions, all while enjoying sweeping views of the surrounding desert.

Shobak Castle is a hidden gem for history lovers and adventure seekers, offering a raw and authentic window into Jordan’s Crusader past.