Rising a thousand meters above the Dead Sea valley, Karak Castle is not just one of the grandest Crusader citadels. It is a symbol of the clash of civilizations and a testament to the genius of military architecture. Unlike the earlier coastal castles like Margat, Karak is a severe, functional giant, built for war and dominance over the main artery of the Middle East.
Historical Context: The Crusades in Full Swing
By the mid-12th century, a fragile balance had been established in the Holy Land. The First Crusade (1096-1099) led to the creation of four Christian states: the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the County of Edessa, the Principality of Antioch, and the County of Tripoli.
However, the Muslim world was consolidating under leaders such as Imad ad-Din Zengi and his son Nur ad-Din. The atmosphere was tense: between outbreaks of open war, there was constant guerrilla warfare, negotiations, and temporary truces between the Franks and local Muslim rulers.
The religious fervor of the initial crusades gave way to pragmatism and a policy of survival in the face of hostile forces. It was during this period, to protect their possessions and control trade routes, that the Crusaders began to build their greatest castles deep within the territory.
Construction and Strategic Significance
The castle was founded in 1142 on the orders of Fulk, King of Jerusalem, and was built under the direction of Payen de Milly, Lord of Oultrejordain. Its construction took almost twenty years. The choice of location was impeccable from a military and economic point of view:
Control of routes: Karak stood on the ancient "King`s Highway", the main road connecting Egypt with Syria and Arabia. Whoever controlled Karak could strangle caravan trade, dictate terms, and collect huge tolls.
Protection of territories: It served as the southern bastion of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, covering it from the east and threatening Muslim centers such as Damascus and Cairo.
Inaccessibility: The castle was built on a triangular plateau surrounded by deep gorges. Natural cliffs protected it on three sides, and only from the south, via a narrow isthmus, could one approach its mighty walls.
Architecture and Structure: An Impregnable Stronghold
Karak is a masterpiece of defensive architecture. Its dimensions are colossal: length is about 220 meters; width is 125 meters at its widest point. It is divided into two parts:
• The Lower Court: The earlier, northern part of the castle. It housed barracks, stables, storerooms, and a chapel.
• The Upper Court (Citadel): The southern, most fortified part, built later. Here were the lord`s quarters, the great hall, and the strongest fortifications.
The castle`s defense was multi-layered:
• Massive walls up to 8-10 meters thick, built of dark basalt.
• Seven levels of underground galleries and casemates, carved directly into the rock. This was an entire underground city for the garrison, capable of withstanding a long siege.
• A deep, dry moat separating the castle from the town.
• Powerful rectangular and semi-circular towers from which all approaches were covered. The most famous is the "Donjon" (Tower of Terror).
Owners of the Castle: From Crusaders to Mamluks
• Payen de Milly (1142-1161): The founder who began construction.
• Maurice and Philip de Milly: Payen`s heirs.
• Raynald of Châtillon (from c. 1176): The most notorious and charismatic figure in Karak`s history.
Raynald of Châtillon: The "Eastern Frontier" of the Crusaders
Raynald, the former Prince of Antioch, received Karak after marrying Stephanie de Milly. He became the personification of the most aggressive and reckless wing of the Crusaders. His actions radically changed the balance of power:
Brigandage on Land and Sea: Using Karak as a base, he plundered caravans, violating all truces, and even built a fleet on the Red Sea to attack trade routes and Muslim holy cities, as far as Medina. This was a challenge not only economically but also religiously.
Provocation of Saladin: His attacks were one of the key reasons that prompted Sultan Salah ad-Din (Saladin) to unite the Islamic world and launch a jihad to liberate Jerusalem. Raynald personally insulted Saladin by intercepting a caravan with his sister. For Muslims, his figure became a symbol of Frankish treachery and cruelty.
The Defeat at Hattin (1187): The Crusader army, forced due to Raynald`s actions to march into a waterless desert in the July heat, was utterly defeated by Saladin. Raynald was captured and executed personally by Saladin, who refused to grant him mercy despite the laws of chivalry (unlike King Guy de Lusignan).
The Fall of the Crusaders and the Siege of Karak
After the catastrophe at Hattin, Jerusalem fell (1187), but Karak held out. It was besieged repeatedly:
• Siege of 1183: Saladin attacked the castle during the wedding of Raynald`s stepson, Humphrey IV of Toron, to Isabella I of Jerusalem. Legend has it that Saladin, showing chivalry, ordered not to bombard the tower where the celebration was taking place but continued the attack on other parts of the castle.
• Siege of 1184: The castle withstood again.
• Siege of 1188: After the fall of Jerusalem, the garrison under the command of Irene (widow of Humphrey) held out for eight months but eventually surrendered on honorable terms. The Crusaders left Karak in 1189. Their era in Transjordan was over.
The Subsequent History of Karak Castle
The castle continued to play an important role under the Ayyubids and Mamluks, who rebuilt and strengthened it. They added new towers, palaces, and a mosque. Under the Mamluks, it became the center of an administrative district. Later, the castle fell into decline during the Ottoman period, but its ruins continued to impress.
What Tourists Should See Now:
• Underground Galleries (Casemates): A labyrinth of dark halls, stables, and storerooms where you can feel the might of the defense.
• The Great Hall (Mamluk Hall): A spacious vaulted hall with columns—the heart of the upper court.
• Crusader Chapel: The ruins of a church with elements of Romanesque architecture.
• Mamluk-era Bathhouse (Hammam) with preserved heating systems.
• The inner moat and drawbridge.
• The towers, especially those with a view of the Dead Sea valley and the road once threatened by Raynald.
• The Archaeological Museum in the lower court, telling the history of the region.
• The view of the modern town of Karak from the fortress walls.
Karak Castle (Al-Karak) is the largest Crusader fortress in Jordan, built in the 12th century. The castle controlled the main trade route between Damascus and Cairo, making it strategically vital. The main thing to do here is not just to look at the walls, but to imagine the bustling life of a huge garrison, the tension of a siege, and the strategic importance of this place, which changed the course of the Crusades.
