The Crusader Castles are wonderful pieces of architecture dating from the era of the Crusades in the 12th century. Kerak and Shoubak still exist today and are fine examples of Crusader hilltop fortresses. The ruins of two other Crusader Castles, Habees and Wu'eira, are situated in the Nabatean city of Petra. They were built to protect the Crusader lands from the Arabs.
Ajlun, north of Amman, is also from this era, built in the late 12th century as a stronghold for Saladin (Salah ad-Din) who used it as his base in his campaign to expel the invading Crusaders from Jordan.
After the Crusades these Crusader Castles were used to defend the Arab territory. Today, many of the castles have been partially restored and show evidence of both Crusader and Arab occupation. They are some of the finest works of military architecture in the middle-east, and their commanding positions offers great views over the surrounding countryside form the battlements.
