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Ajloun is one the most scenic areas, overlooking the northern mountains of Jordan, dominated by the Ajloun Castle (Also known as Al-Rabad Castle), perched on the highest peak. The Ajloun area has been inhabited by people for over 9 thousand years, with ruins and remains dating back to the Neolithic periods. Today, the area features several historical monuments, and a nature reserve.
The Ajloun Castle which sits on the highest point, was built in 1184 as a military fortress to protect the trade routes and defend against the crusades by Izzedin Usama Al Mungidh, who was one of the generals of Saladin and later in 1214 it was expanded.
Today the castle is one of the best examples of Medieval Islamic architectural landmarks, with great gates, vaulted ceilings, and towers, and wall slits acting as fortified windows for archers.
With its breathtaking landscape of hills and mixed forests, the Ajloun Nature Reserve is definitely worth every minute of the experience. Located in the north of Jordan, very close to the Ajloun village of Umm Al-Yanabee, the Ajloun Nature Reserve was started in 1988 under the management of the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN).
The Reserve can best be described as an area of hills covered by dense woodlands of evergreen oak, scattered with pistachio, carob and strawberry trees. One of the major attractions at the Reserve is the excellent hiking trails, with a variety of paths suitable for people of all fitness levels.
The Ajloun woodlands are a classic example of the typical Jordanian type of forest cover, and have always been of utmost importance for the locals as the forests provide them with food, wood and medicine. The forest also has several species, foxes, wolves, hyena, woodland birds, and herds of wild boar, as well as roe deer. In spring, the grounds are covered with vibrantly colored anemones, rock roses and several other wild flowers.
A 12th Century Arab-Islamic Architectural Marvel
It’s unclear when Ajloun emerges as a population and some historians associate it with the Moab king Eglón, who is mentioned in the Bible and from whom his name would derive. In any case, what seems certain is that Ajloun existed already in the twelfth century, period in which its famous castle was built, since there are remains of a Byzantine church, which indicates that it would have been built sometime in the V-VII centuries.
That fortress is the one that, in the end, gave strategic and military importance to this enclave, which was occupied successively by Ayyubids, Mamluks and Ottomans. The latter are the ones that left a more evident importance in the town, as evidenced by its mosque, expanded in the sixteenth century by that empire that had the dominion of Ajloun ever since.
From that moment on, minimizing external military threats, Ajloun has always developed an agricultural role, as shown by historical documents, in which an important production of wine, fruits and vegetables is certified.
If you want to spend more time with Ajloun To discover other places in addition to the castle, there is one activity that stands out above all: hiking. Around the town extends the Forest Reserve of Ajloun, one of the most interesting in the country for its biodiversity and its contrast with respect to other Jordanian natural spaces: it is a Mediterranean habitat, with its corresponding flora and fauna.
Walking here, the traveler can discover oaks, pistachios, strawberry trees, carob trees and other trees typical of the countries of southern Europe, for example. And with a little luck, you’ll be able to spot skunks, martens, or even wild boars. Wolves and jackals also inhabit here, although they are much more elusive.
This natural orchard is maintained in good condition thanks to the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, which opted to protect this area of about 1,300 hectares for its environmental value. They have also been in charge of developing a network of trails to discover the main corners of the reserve, among which are:
Ajloun It is very close to Jerash and Amman, so it is most common to include the visit of this place as part of an excursion through northern Jordan. The easiest thing is to get here by road and with a private vehicle, either a taxi or a bus with its own driver. These are the approximate distances and durations, including other places further away from the country:
On the other hand, if you want to get to Ajloun Castle, you must access with some means of transport, as it is located about 3 kilometers from the center, a distance that is also uphill. There are taxis that offer this service from the city, although you can also get there by car to the same ticket office.