Shobak Castle
The Crusaders’ Montréal, alone on a hill above the plateau, rebuilt by the Ayyubids and Mamluks
FoundedAD 1115
BuildersCrusader · Mamluk
Location30 km N of Petra
UNESCOTentative List
Introduction
It withstood Saladin for eighteen months.
Shobak Castle rises alone on a rounded hill beside the town of Shobak, about 30 km north of Petra. The Crusaders called it Montréal, the “Royal Mount”. King Baldwin I of Jerusalem founded it in 1115 to control the routes between Syria, Egypt and Arabia, and it was the first great Crusader stronghold south of the Dead Sea.
After the Battle of Hattin, Saladin’s forces besieged it for almost 18 months until the garrison surrendered in 1189. Most of what stands today is Ayyubid and Mamluk rebuilding: gates, towers, vaulted halls and two Crusader churches. It is an easy stop on the way to or from Petra.
Best timeMar–May · Sep–Nov
Time needed1 hr
Ticket3 JOD · Jordan Pass
From Amman210 km · 2 hr 45 min
Combine withDana Biosphere Reserve · 35 min
Google rating4.2 · Reviews
Highlights · The Royal Mount
Gates, churches and a Mamluk tower
Five things to look for at Shobak
Shobak is a ruin to wander. These are the places that make the visit.
01 / 0501 · Landscape
The castle on its hill
The approach
Walls and towers follow the edge of the hilltop, seen best from the road below.
Look closely
The towers along the northern ramp.
1 of 5
Part by part
What to see
Four parts of the visit, from the approach to the stores. Pick one to see what to look for.
1 / 501 · The hill and the walls
Climb the hill
A road climbs the hill to the castle gate. Walls and towers follow the edge of the hilltop, and the main approach is by a ramp on the north.
The great northern towers, the ramparts and the passageway of large drafted stones are Mamluk work of 1297–98. Sultan Lajin’s building inscription runs round the semicircular tower that guards the ramp.
HilltopMamluk towersAD 1297–98
Look for
- The towers along the northern ramp
- Sultan Lajin’s inscription round the semicircular tower
- The view over the plateau
Dig deeperBuilt in 18 days?
A Frankish chronicler says King Baldwin I built the castle in 18 days in 1115. The next year he went on to Aqaba.
1 / 502 · Inside the walls
Walk through the gates
Arched gates and passages lead into the castle. Little survives above ground of the first castle except its two churches, among them St Mary’s, the most important Crusader church in Jordan.
Since 2024 an Italian-funded project has consolidated St Mary’s church. Access to St Mary’s Church may be restricted during conservation work; ask at the ticket office which areas are open.
Crusader churchesArched gatesConservation work
Look for
- The apse of the church
- The arched gateways
- Crusader and Islamic stonework side by side
1 / 203 · Ayyubid and Mamluk
Explore the halls
The Ayyubid prince al-Mu’azzam ‘Isa largely rebuilt the castle after an earthquake in 1212, adding a reception hall for the Ayyubid princes.
Inside the walls, stone-vaulted halls and rooms survive, some of them two storeys high.
AD 1212Reception hallStone vaults
Look for
- The pointed stone vaults
- The two-storey arched building
- Windows looking out over the plateau
1 / 304 · Water and supplies
Find the wells and stores
Water was the castle’s great problem. Cisterns and wells collected rainwater, and a steep tunnel with more than 300 steps leads down through the rock to the spring at the foot of the hill. Its date is still debated, and it is currently closed to the public.
Look for millstones and a room full of round stone balls, ammunition for the catapults.
Cisterns300+ stepsTunnel closed
Look for
- The mouth of a well
- Millstones
- The stone catapult balls
Dig deeperA prosperous Mamluk town
Under the Mamluks, Shobak became a prosperous agricultural town. Excavations by the University of Florence have found a Mamluk soap factory and dyeing works.
History & significance
The Royal Mount
Montréal was the first Crusader castle of Oultrejordain. It fell to Saladin after a long siege, was rebuilt by the Ayyubids and Mamluks, and families lived in its ruins until the 1950s.
- AD 1115Baldwin I founds Montréal
- AD 1187–1189Saladin’s siege; the castle surrenders
- AD 1212Al-Mu’azzam ‘Isa rebuilds after an earthquake
- AD 1261The Mamluk sultan Baybars takes Shobak
- AD 1297–98Sultan Lajin rebuilds the castle
- AD 1840Ibrahim Pasha’s army blows up the defences
- AD 2001Jordan’s UNESCO Tentative List
ProfileShobak Castle: the full storyThe history, Sultan Lajin’s inscription and the timeline of the castle.Read the profile →Plan your visit
Everything you need to know before you go
The castle stands on a hill beside the town of Shobak, about 30 km north of Petra, reached from the King’s Highway or the Desert Highway. A visitor centre and ticket office are at the entrance.
Good to know: the ruins are uneven, with loose stones and unfenced drops. The water tunnel is closed to the public.
Opening hoursOpen daily8:00–17:00
Entry ticket3 JODResidents 0.25 JOD · Jordan Pass
Time to visit1 hrAbout an hour to walk the ruins
From Amman210 kmAbout 2 hours 30 min to 3 hours by road
LocationShobak30.5314° N, 35.5608° EGet directions
Opening hours and prices checked October 2026. Spotted a change? Let us know
On site
What you’ll find at Shobak Castle
- Visitor centre
- Ticket office
- Toilets
- Free parking
- Museum
- Guide available
- Food & drinks
- Market / shop
- Viewpoint
Nearby: hotels
Access: no 4x4 needed
Details by location
At the monument: Viewpoints across the surrounding hills; the ruins have loose stones and uneven ground.
Near the entrance: Visitor centre, ticket office, toilets, designated parking, museum and guide services in the castle entrance area.
In the surrounding town: Hotels, restaurants and shops are in Shobak town and the surrounding area, outside the castle.
When to go
Spring and autumn are best. The castle is high and exposed: cold and windy in winter, hot at midday in summer.
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BestGood, cooler or warmVery hot
Tip: stop on the road below the hill for the classic view of the castle.
Before you go
There is a small visitor centre at the entrance; shops and restaurants are in Shobak town.
- Good shoesLoose stones and uneven ground
- WaterLittle shade on the hilltop
- A warm layerThe hill is high and windy
- Cash in Jordanian dinarsFor tickets and small purchases
- Jordan PassIf you have one, it covers the ticket
Common questions
Quick answers before you set off.
How long do I need at Shobak Castle?
About an hour to walk the ruins, a little more if you want to explore every hall.
Can I go down the water tunnel?
No. The tunnel to the spring is currently closed to the public.
Is Shobak on the way to Petra?
Yes. It is about 30 km north of Petra and easy to combine with Little Petra or Dana on the same day.
Is Shobak in the Jordan Pass?
Yes. Shobak Castle is included in the Jordan Pass.
Can I visit Shobak on a tour?
Yes. Shobak is a stop on our King’s Highway tour from Amman to Petra.
Combine with
Shobak lies between Dana and Petra. Drive times are from Shobak.
1
Dana Biosphere ReserveNature reserve28 km · ~35 min drive · Our tour2Siq al-Barid (Little Petra)Nabataean site30 km · ~35 min drive · Our tour3Vaux Moise CastleCrusader castle30 km · ~35 min drive · Our tour4PetraNabataean city30 km · ~35 min drive5Al-HabisCrusader fort30 km · ~35 min drive6Qal’at ‘UnaizaHajj fort45 km · ~50 min drive
Dana Biosphere ReserveNature reserve28 km · ~35 min drive · Our tour2
Siq al-Barid (Little Petra)Nabataean site30 km · ~35 min drive · Our tour3
Vaux Moise CastleCrusader castle30 km · ~35 min drive · Our tour4
PetraNabataean city30 km · ~35 min drive5
Al-HabisCrusader fort30 km · ~35 min drive6
Qal’at ‘UnaizaHajj fort45 km · ~50 min driveTour 1 King’s Highway to Petra. Compare the tours
Private tours
A private day tour that includes Shobak Castle
The tour is just for you: your own vehicle and driver, hotel pickup in Amman and entry tickets included. The price depends on how many travellers there are, up to three.
Private: only your group
Your own vehicle & driver
Hotel pick-up in Amman
Entry tickets included
from$330per group (1–3) · 235 JOD
Tour 1 · Full day · Private
Best of King’s Highway from Amman to Petra
While Petra and Amman are among Jordan’s most famous destinations, the journey between them along the historic King’s Highway is filled with extraordinary landscapes, ancient monuments, and hidden archaeological treasures. This private one-way tour transforms a simple transfer into an unforgettable full-day exploration of Jordan’s history, culture, and natural beauty.
Crusader castlesNabataean sitesOne way to Petra8 stops4x4
Duration12–13 hr
Pick-up8 AM
Group1–3, private
Included
- Private luxury transfer
- Entrance fees
- Bottled water, soft drinks, snacks
- Coffee/tea (on request)
- WiFi, Phone charger
Not included
- Professional on-site (local) guide
- Personal expenses
- Lunch
CancellationFull refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start. No refunds or changes within 24 hours.
Pick-upFrom your hotel lobby or home in Amman, 5 minutes before your chosen start time.
BringComfortable shoes, sun hat, sunblock and sunglasses. Tours run in English.
Explore this site
More from Shobak Castle
Panoramas, walk-throughs, photos and stories about this site.
ProfileShobak Castle: history & architecture
Photo albumShobak Castle: The Crusaders’ Montréal in Photos
360°360° panoramaThrough the Gates of Shobak Castle: 360° PanoramaNearby
