Tourist Trails Welcome to Shobak Castle

Welcome to Shobak Castle

 

Roman-Byzantine Period (circa 3rd–7th century): A Fortress of the Limes Arabicus

Although ancient texts do not explicitly mention Shobak during the Roman era, archaeological investigations have uncovered abundant Roman-Byzantine pottery in the excavated areas of the castle. Architectural evidence includes pre-Crusader fortification walls and a large building made of finely dressed limestone blocks, later reused and restored during the Crusader and Ayyubid periods.

Islamic chronicler Ibn Zurayq reports that the Crusaders, in the 12th century, settled "among the ruins of an ancient fortress" near Wadi Musa, known as as-Shobak. This suggests that a late antique fort, likely part of the Limes Arabicus, existed here and was probably abandoned in the 7th century, before being repurposed centuries later by the Crusaders.

Crusader Period (1115–1189): The Foundation of Mont Real

In 1115, Baldwin I, the first Latin king of Jerusalem, founded the fortress of Mont Real (Mons Regalis) to control the trade routes between Syria and Egypt and to assert Christian power in the region. According to chroniclers Fulcher of Chartres and William of Tyre, the castle was built quickly and equipped with strong fortifications, likely using the ruins of the earlier Roman-Byzantine structure.

Arabic sources, particularly Ibn Zurayq, highlight the dramatic impact of the Franks on international trade, the control and exploitation of which became a major source of income for the Crusader lords.

Throughout the 12th century, Shobak passed through the hands of various lords, including Roman of Puy and Payen le Bouteiller, and was the subject of significant donations to the Hospitallers (in 1152, confirmed by Reynald of Châtillon in 1177). It was repeatedly besieged by Egyptian and Ayyubid forces.

The most famous siege occurred in 1187–1189, when the fortress resisted heroically for nearly eighteen months before surrendering to Saladin, who granted the defenders honourable terms.

The castle still preserves important Crusader-era monuments, the most notable being the great Church of St. Mary, the impressive tunnel carved to reach the castle’s underground springs (possibly also used as a secret passage), parts of the double curtain wall with two fortified gates, and the so-called lower church, which is remarkably well preserved and was later converted into a soap factory during the Mamluk period.

 

Ayyubid Period (1189–1260): Islamic Renaissance of Gardens and Refinement

After its conquest by Saladin, Shobak was granted as a fief to his brother al-Malik al-‘Adil, and later to his son al-Muʿaẓẓam ʿĪsā. It was during the reign of Saladin and al-‘Adil that the Islamic palace was built, parts of which — including the audience hall — are still visible today.

Following the devastating earthquake of May 1, 1212, Shobak suffered extensive damage and was largely rebuilt by al-Muʿaẓẓam ʿĪsā. According to Ibn Shaddad, the prince transformed the fortress into a flourishing city, enriched with gardens irrigated by two springs, which he compares to those of Damascus for their freshness, greenery, and beauty.

At the foot of the hill, a vibrant Ayyubid city developed, the remains of which can still be seen in the later village of Al-Jaya. Recent excavations at Jaya have uncovered the remains of a large Islamic palace with mosaic-decorated floors and rooms adorned with fountains and stucco decorations. Although restored in later periods, it is possible that this and similar structures were originally part of the Ayyubid lower medina of Shobak.

Outside the city, in 1248, an Ayyubid emir built the mausoleum of the walī Abu Sulaiman al-Dirany, which may have become a pilgrimage site of more than just local significance, and which still survives today.

Mamluk Period (1260–1516): Destruction, Reconstruction, and Commerce

In 1261, Shobak became part of the Mamluk Empire, the successor of the Ayyubids in Egypt, Syria, and Transjordan. During this period, both the castle and the city underwent further development. Historical sources mention local carpet production, and the manufacturing of soap is attested by the remains of a rare soap factory built in the 13th–14th century inside the converted Crusader lower church.

In 1293, Sultan al-Ashraf Khalil ordered the demolition of the castle for political reasons — a decision strongly criticized by Ibn al-Furat due to its strategic implications. However, by 1297–1298, Sultan Husam al-Din Ladjin initiated a complete reconstruction and reinforcement of the fortress. These monumental restoration works are documented by large Arabic inscriptions, still visible on the outer towers and an internal palace within the castle.

Chroniclers such as Abu l-Fida and al-Dimashqi described 14th century Shobak as a productive agricultural center, rich in water and orchards whose fruits were exported over long distances. Based on trade dynamics observed in later periods, it is plausible that these products reached markets connected to major caravan routes leading to Egypt, Syria, or the holy city of Mecca.

Archaeological excavations also attest to the arrival in Shobak of precious celadon porcelain from distant China, and provide evidence of a Christian community, confirmed by Mamluk-period burials found in the Church of Saint Mary. The European traveller Ludolf of Sudheim, who visited the region in this period, confirms the peaceful coexistence of Muslims and Christians in Shobak under Mamluk rule.

Late Islamic Period (1516–1915): The Village Among the Ruins

After the Ottoman conquest in 1516, Shobak hosted a military garrison. In the following centuries, despite a slow decline, the fortress remained inhabited, likely by local communities.

In 1840, during the retreat of Ibrahim Pasha’s army, the defences of the castle were blown up by order of Sheikh Said Abou Deis, yet the village built within the ruins continued to exist well into the 20th century.

The Great Arab Revolt (1915–1918): Refuge in the Storm

During the Great Arab Revolt against the Ottomans, T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) used Shobak as a strategic refuge, taking advantage of its commanding position over the desert and the shelter provided by the village occupying the ancient fortress.

Even at that time, the site retained a strong military, strategic, and symbolic role in the history of Islamic civilisation.

 

Back to top