Shobak castle
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Shobak Castle Montreal

4.2
·2k reviews·Shobak, Jordan

A 12th-century Crusader castle on a hilltop, offering panoramic valley views and a glimpse into medieval history.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Spring and Fall mornings

Ideal for birdwatching and pleasant weather

CrowdLow
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Shobak castle

Shobak Castle Montreal

Best Time

Spring and Fall mornings

Ideal for birdwatching and pleasant weather

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A 12th-century Crusader castle on a hilltop, offering panoramic valley views and a glimpse into medieval history.

4.2
(2k reviews)

"A beautiful site with so much history to unravel, offering a great viewpoint."

Vertical photo
TIP

Keep Visits Brief

Plan for about an hour; the site is best for a short exploration. :stopwatch:

Hat for Sun Protection

Most of the walking is outdoors, so a hat is a must. :sunwithface:

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.2 · 2,027 reviews

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Panoramic Valley Views

Panoramic Valley Views

Throughout the castle grounds

Breathtaking vistas of the Shobak valley from the hilltop ruins. A photographer's dream.

Reddit
Crusader Architecture

Crusader Architecture

Castle interior

Explore the remains of this 12th-century Crusader castle, a blend of Christian and Islamic influences.

Reddit
Historic Soap Factory

Historic Soap Factory

Within the castle complex

Discover the remnants of an old soap manufacturing facility, adding a unique layer to the history.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

Time Your Visit Wisely

Plan for a short visit, around 30 minutes to an hour. Much of the exploration is outdoors, so a hat is essential. Be aware that ongoing renovations might limit access to certain areas like tunnels. Reddit

Prepare for the Terrain

The castle is a ruined hilltop site requiring a walk from the parking and visitor center. Wear sturdy shoes as you'll be walking on uneven surfaces. Reddit

Best Times

When
Spring and Fall mornings
Why
Ideal for birdwatching and pleasant weather
Crowd
Low
When
Mid-day
Why
Visitor center staff are helpful
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

🔴 Dos turistas belgas muertos y cerca de 1.800 evacuados en Jordania por las inundaciones en la histórica ciudad de Petra La crecida repentina de varios cauces en la región de Shobak por las fuertes precipitaciones de este domingo ha obligado a cerrar el yacimiento nabateo #jordania #inundaciones #petra #shobak #turistas #dep #lluvia #temporal
@elespanolcom
133.8K likes • 5.1M views

Keep Visits Brief

Plan for about an hour; the site is best for a short exploration. Reddit :stopwatch:

Hat for Sun Protection

Most of the walking is outdoors, so a hat is a must. Reddit :sunwithface:

Las autoridades jordanas han encontrado este lunes los cadáveres de dos turistas de nacionalidad belga en la localidad de Shobak, al suroeste de Jordania, tras las inundaciones provocadas por las intensas lluvias de este domingo. Allí está ubicado el yacimiento arqueológico de Petra, de donde centenares de turistas fueron evacuados. “Los equipos de búsqueda y rescate formados en la región meridion...
@elpais
3.2K likes • 280.3K views
Shobak Castle, also known as Montreal Castle, is a historic Crusader castle located in southern Jordan, about 30 kilometers north of Petra. The castle was built in the early 12th century by Baldwin I of Jerusalem during the Crusades, around 1115 CE, and was part of the Crusaders’ defensive network in the region. Shobak Castle is perched on a hilltop, offering strategic views of the surrounding de...
steinventures
51 likes • 364 views

Wear Sturdy Shoes

The terrain is uneven and ruined; comfortable footwear is key. Reddit :athletic_shoe:

Check Renovation Status

Tunnels may be inaccessible due to ongoing construction. Reddit :construction_worker:

Shobak Castle is an old fortress in Jordan, near the town of Shobak. It was built in 1115 CE by Baldwin I, a Crusader king, to protect important trade routes. The castle is also called Montreal, meaning “Royal Mountain.” #jordan #jordanian #vacation #holiday #travel #tourism #asia #summer #fashion #photography #videography #instagood #love #beautiful #nature #beauty #view #roads #deadsea #deadsea...
dipikaasharma
0 likes • 1.3K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Keep Visits Brief

Plan for about an hour; the site is best for a short exploration. Reddit :stopwatch:

Hat for Sun Protection

Most of the walking is outdoors, so a hat is a must. Reddit :sunwithface:

Wear Sturdy Shoes

The terrain is uneven and ruined; comfortable footwear is key. Reddit :athletic_shoe:

Check Renovation Status

Tunnels may be inaccessible due to ongoing construction. Reddit :construction_worker:

Friendly Staff

The working staff are very kind and cooperative. Reddit :smiley:

What Travellers Say

4.2
(2k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Shobak Castle offers a glimpse into Crusader history with stunning valley views, though it's noted for its ruined state and ongoing renovations. Visitors appreciate the kind staff and the unique historical features like the old soap factory. However, the lack of extensive maintenance and potential inaccessibility of tunnels due to construction are common drawbacks.

"Not bad, but I recommend it for a very short visit, don't plan more than 1 hour visit.
It needs a lot of maintenance, the majority of walking time is outside, so, you need a hat.
There is a visitor center not yet finished (planned to be finished in July 2025).
The working staff are very kind and cooperative."

Khalid Alawadat

"A ruined castle on a hilltop that has a mix of Christian and Islamic touch to it.

Car parking and tickets are at the premises entrance, and then you walk a few 100 meters upwards to arrive at the castle entrance.

At the castle entrance, there are several directions to walk to, and is worth exploring all. There is a church, a soap manufacturing facility, a small museum, and others. Some stones have writings on them.

The views to the Shobak valley are quite a thing. The place is quite ruined, and deserves maintenance and extra care. Make sure you walk with care.

Expect to spend around 30 minutes here."

Fahd Batayneh فهد بطاينة

"A beautiful site with so much history to unravel, the only reason I'm not rating as 5 is because there is a lot of renovation and construction taking place which meant I couldn't explore any of the tunnels I was reading about! It offers a great viewpoint for some birdwatching with binoculars during the spring and fall."

Talar K

What People Like

Stunning valley views
Historical significance
Kind and cooperative staff

What People Dislike

Ruined state
Ongoing renovations
Limited tunnel access

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Shobak Castle is located on a hilltop. Car parking and tickets are available at the premises entrance, followed by a short walk upwards to the castle. It's a convenient stop when traveling between Dana and Petra. Reddit

Yes, car parking is available at the premises entrance before you ascend to the castle. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Ticket purchase is done at the premises entrance. Specific pricing details are best confirmed on-site. Reddit

Opening hours can vary, but it's generally accessible during daylight hours. It's advisable to check locally or upon arrival. Reddit

Access to tunnels may be restricted due to ongoing renovations and construction. It's recommended to inquire on-site about current accessibility. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Most visitors recommend a short visit, typically around 30 minutes to an hour, as much of the exploration is outdoors and the site is quite ruined. Reddit

You can explore the remains of the castle, including a church, an old soap manufacturing facility, and a small museum. Some stones have historical writings. Reddit

While the site has historical significance, it is quite ruined and in need of maintenance. Ongoing renovations are also taking place. Reddit

The castle offers incredible views of the surrounding Shobak valley, making it a beautiful scenic spot. Reddit

Yes, it's an excellent stop for a brief visit, especially if you're traveling between Dana and Petra. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The panoramic views of the Shobak valley from the hilltop are stunning. The mix of Crusader architecture and the surrounding landscape offers great photographic potential. Reddit

Yes, you can take photos as you walk around the site and explore the remains of the castle. Reddit

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